For the past two weeks, Jane and Walt have been going to swim lessons at Mulgrue Swim Academy. I am so grateful to our friends for recommending “Rhonda on Randolph” to us. While Jane and Walt enjoyed their swim lessons they took over the winter, the instructors weren’t pushing them to learn new skills or challenge them to perform beyond their fears. Our friends warned us that Rhonda is “no nonsense” and that she would push the kids to get them to reach their goals. “Perfect! That’s exactly what our kids need,” I said.
When the day of the first lesson rolled around, I walked Jane and Walt in, helped them put their things in cubbies, and introduced them to the assistant instructor. Rhonda was busy teaching another class. We sat on a bench by the pool while we waited. A sweet little girl (who I later learned is 8) heard Walt getting nervous and introduced herself. “Hi, I’m _________. This is my second summer at Rhonda’s. She is so nice, and she is going to take good care of you! She is a really good teacher!” I could have kissed the girl! What a little angel! Walt smiled back at her. I took that as my cue to go, gave Jane and Walt big hugs, and said I’d be back at the end without looking back.
When I came back for pick-up, they were BEAMING! Rhonda cleverly gives the kids “shark rocks” at the end of each lesson. The “shark rocks” are those colored glass pebbles you see in centerpieces.
Jane and Walt showed off their “shark rocks” and told me all about the new things they learned. I thought I’d capitalize on their excitement and build on it. “You know what…if you each get 8 shark rocks for your 8 swim lessons, we can go to Runza for lunch after your last swim lesson!” You would have thought I said it was Christmas morning. As soon as we got home, I found them 2 small mason jars to put on their bedroom dressers to start their “shark rock” collections. They can’t wait to cash them in for our special Runza lunch! I didn’t know it when I made the deal with the kids, but Rhonda gives out a coupon for a free Kids Meal at Runza on the last day of lessons. Life just keeps getting better and better with Rhonda!
Rhonda does not allow parents to stay for lessons so that the kids don’t get afraid and look to Mom or Dad to bail them out. However, we are invited to come for the last half hour on the last day of lessons to see how much they learned. At the end of Jane and Walt’s first week of lessons, I opted to come for the last ten minutes. I didn’t want them to see me and get cold feet since I knew they were still working on a few new skills. It ended up being a great decision because I snuck in when the kids weren’t looking, and I got to see them (unknowingly) showing off their skills. They bobbed, waved to Rhonda underwater, jumped off the diving board, and swam to the side of the pool. So, so, so much progress!
The kids were disappointed last weekend when we told them they didn’t have lessons. When Monday morning rolled around, Jane said she wanted to draw Rhonda a picture.
“I like Rhonda so much! She is a good teacher!”
“That’s me and Rhonda swimming.” I love the goggles and bubbles.
Walt drew his own picture for Rhonda, but he said, “I’m going to give it to her on the last day.”
In just two short weeks, Rhonda has transformed Jane and Walt from timid pool toe-touchers to full-fledged fish! We are so grateful to her for her passion and dedication to teach children how to love the water and be safe enjoying it. For the first summer ever, we are going to join a local pool and get to enjoy the water as an entire family! Thank you, Rhonda!
