Swim Team?

Grace has been working hard all summer on her swimming skills. Each day she acquires more confidence in her skills. She still does not make it off the stairs unless mommy is in the pool or if her floaties are on her arms. Part of this is due to the fact she is only 40 inches tall and the shallowest part of the pool is 42 inches deep. But she does do a lot with mommy in the pool. She will swim to the second lane from the stairs where mommy is standing waiting on her to dock for a moment before turning back and swimming to the stairs. She is really good at kicking her feet and blowing her bubbles. We are working on arms and learning how they can help us go faster. She now jumps in and swims to mommy, making sure to get big splashes for such a little body. She also enjoys shallow diving on the stairs for various toys, the latest are the princesses off her 3rd birthday cake. Thank goodness her mother is a pack-rat and saves everything.
She has already decided that she wants to be on swim team next year. But she doesn't want anyone to write on her. Her best friend is on the team and we have seen him at time trials and at one meet. The parents write the children's names on their backs, their ages and then on their arms or legs the swim events, and lanes. Grace doesn't like this at all. We have our work cut out for us if she plans on doing the team. I am leaving it up to Mrs. Lara - she can convince Grace of almost anything. I think a purple sharpie may be involved.
Mommy is enjoying the pool too. It relieves some of the pressure of the ever growing belly and seems to keep the swelling down. It is also proving to be good exercise. Grace is napping in the afternoons again (yeah!) and eating regular meals plus snacks. Mommy also doesn't feel like such a whale. We are still trying to find time to show off to Daddy. We will keep practicing as we await our trip to the beach and later to Cortez, FL.