You may recall, once David agreed to take lessons of any sort, we went hog wild and signed him up for four this fall. He happily went to the first of each one and promptly insisted he would sally forth no more. So, how's it going?

Swim lessons

We had a couple bad swim lessons where he missed nearly the whole thing sitting on the side refusing to get in. My policy is you have to be suited up with your feet in the water. So there he sat, pulling a Bartleby the Scrivener on me. But I'm very proud of myself because I solved this problem. Now our ritual is we get there a half hour early, so last minute issues don't derail us; he doesn't have to take a shower before he gets in because it was making him too cold; and we sit at the edge of the pool together, both of us with our feet in the water, and read a book. He usually manages to make it into the pool a few minutes after his class starts.

His skills have gone backwards. We ended the summer with him actually swimming a few strokes with his head all the way in the water. I don't think he's put his head in the water since this 7 week session started. I did see splashing in the direction of his teacher without his teacher touching him, but I'm not sure I'd call it swimming.

However, I figure we are rebuilding our way there. The real thing he's working on is the same thing he's working on in all his classes, paying attention to the teacher. It's an important, complex, and difficult skill, and I have no objection to him learning it slowly. But, it's another important reason I'm going to keep on with swim lessons. Like swimming, it's a life skill.

Ice skating

Yuck! As you know from my previous entry, I have been really upset by the ice skating lessons. For reasons unknown to me, David was put in Rose's class, one up from absolute beginner. He is an absolute beginner and needs to be with kids his own level. So, it doesn't surprise me he can't pay attention; he can't do what they are asking him to do.

I've actually been surprised by how much he has learned. He can now fall and get up safely. He seems to be able to propel himself forward a little and glide a little. Fine. I pulled the plug on this one. It was not fun letting Rose know we would be discontinuing ice skating lessons. She had dreams. Rose says he's thrilled to never ice skate again.

Gymnastics

I've actually never seen this class because John takes him. But, he seems to be complaining about it less and improving his listening skills. I will say I like how all the teachers, who are young and probably not intensely trained in classroom management, are handling my crazy boy. I've seen a mixture of

setting expectations--everyone put your listening ears on
games--let's see who can be quietest in the line to the bathroom
rewards--if everyone is a good listener, we can go in the hot tub
friendly reprimands--David, get back on the wall.

I will give David the choice whether he continues it or not.

Sunday School

He may grumble a tiny bit, buty really, David loves it. He comes home bursting with news about the art projects, the stories. He's counting down the weeks until he can bring home his Shabbat kit with his very own homemade kiddish cup, challah cover, and candle sticks. He's starting to learn names and make friends. He does have a problem with the noise level at services. He wears earplugs and sits in the back, so that's cutting down on his feeling part of everything, but I think he'll work it out. Since this one is a non-negotiable, I'm thrilled he's having so much fun.