Float test

We're still going strong with swim lesssons and last month Rena's teacher told us she was ready to do her float tests. There were 3 separate float tests done in consecutive classes and each time she had to wear more layers of clothes. The teacher would take Rena to the middle of the pool and throw her into the water and she had to either float for 5 minutes or get to the edge of the pool without assistance. Rena practiced for many weeks during her lessons so she was ready! Her main concern was going into the water with real clothes on and whether they would get ruined! ;) Rena did great and easily passed the first test. The second test was after Thanksgiving so she hadn't practiced in two weeks so she struggled a little more with this one. But she did manage to make it to the edge without help after a few minutes (which seemed like an eternity to Mommy!). Ms Sondra had Rena practice a lot that day and she did great on her third test the following week. She was fully clothed with shoes and socks for that last test. Mommy and Daddy are so proud of Rena for passing all three of her float tests! And I feel much better knowing that if she were to fall into water she could get to safety on her own. The float tests made mommy a little nervous and I just wanted her to do well. I guess this was good practice for many tests to come in the future! ;) I took a video but need to figure out how to shorten it so it fits on here. Here are a few pictures of my little floater:

This was a practice float test a couple weeks before the real tests

I decided it would be cute to get Rena a little swim/water themed present after each float test. Here she is with her swimming Ariel doll after passing the first test

She got a Barbie mermaid doll after float test #2

Here she is fully clothed for the last test when she reached the edge! Mommy was very relieved ;)

Float tests completed! I didn't get a picture of her last gift but she got the big Lalaloopsy mermaid doll

Her teacher gave her this cute shirt after passing the last test and a little cow bell! They ring a bell and everyone claps when each kid passes the float test, so Rena was happy to have her own little bell :)