Sophie started the summer swaddled in water wings, a life vest and a tube.  Even with such precautions, she kept an iron grip around my neck.  She will end the season (all area outdoor public pools close after Labor Day) wearing only goggles, a swimsuit and a smile.   After weeks of hard work in a chilly pool, Sophie can swim above water on her own for a good six feet and can swim under water even farther.  She does a pretty mean cannonball, too.

 

Smoni, the lifeguard at our pool, has cheered on Sophie over the last few months.  She is from Romania and had a quick connection with Sophie when she heard that our eldest had spent some time in Bucharest.  Sophie was equally pleased with Smoni, especially when she had to jump into the pool to grab a 10 year old when his snorkeling practice went awry.

 

After some particularly agile underwater laps this morning, Sophie was greeted by hot chocolate and cookies courtesy of Smoni.

 

At the top of Sophie’s list of “things that she wants but doesn’t need” (the parental brainwashing began early) is a swimming cap.  She is a big fan of Annie, who wore one in Daddy Warbuck’s pool, and apparently finds the Depression trendy.  After the last week’s progress, we will try to find her one.  Maybe Woolworth’s?