The Orange Bracelet

  Cameron was very excited to have passed the first level swimming test at the Y a few weeks ago.  We tried having the twins take swimming lessons several years ago and it did not go well -- they've always been quite bashful when it comes to new things.  So swimming lessons have fallen on "Coach Mommy" as the twins call me.
  The swimming test at the Y is pretty intimidating.  Kids have to go into a big lap pool all by themselves.  They first have to float on their backs and then swim half the length of the pool.  Cameron was feeling pretty nervous about taking the test but was determined to pass it and get that orange bracelet!
 We walked to the pool three different times to take the test.  The first 2 times, Cam decided he wasn't quite ready.  However, the third time he was ready to go.  It helped that we had a really nice, calm lifeguard to walk us through the test.  My heart was probably pounding as hard as Cam's was as his little body stepped into that big pool.  He kept looking at me and I kept giving him reassuring smiles.
  The first thing was floating on his back -- while floating, his head bumped the side of the pool and he came up laughing.  This seemed to break the ice and he was ready to rock and roll when it came to the swimming part.  As soon as he finished, the lifeguard said, "Great job!  You did it!"  Phewwwwww said Coach Mommy.
 As we were walking back to the outside pool, I asked Cam if he was proud of himself.  He kind of looked at me and I explained that being proud of yourself is when you feel really good about something you did.  He then said yes and gave me a small, triumphant smile.