He did it!

Kyle has been eyeing the diving board at our pool club all summer long...but most of the time the deep end is crowded with teenagers when we're there and it's just not the place for a novice diver to be. Well today I decided it was just quiet enough at the pool (despite 100+ temperatures!) His face lit up when I asked him if he wanted to try jumping off the diving board. When we got over there he confidently walked out on the board while I was treading water in the middle...then he stopped. He backtracked...he said he wasn't brave enough. He climbed down, then climbed back up...walked out to the end again...and changed his mind, again. Meanwhile I'm treading water and gently encouraging him...and reminding him that school starts on Monday and our days at the pool are numbered. He just couldn't do it. I started to swim to the ladder to get out and all of a sudden he just went for it...it was awesome! The look of pure joy on his face when he popped up out of the water reminded me why we might become parents in the first place. He went again and again and again! He'll probably dream about jumping off the board tonight! It's also a good way for him to build his swimming skills since he has no choice but to swim like crazy to the edge of the pool. Hurray for Kyle the brave!