Posted in Aqua Bub

The Bub is a Potato No More!

 

The little Bub has always been most comfortable speaking in English, and there were many times that he expressed his disdain for Mandarin. He used to tell us that he is an “English people” and not a “Chinese people” to both our shock and amusement.

At first, we thought that it was a phase, but we started getting very very worried when he was continuously rejecting all forms of communication in Mandarin. We tried exposing him to Mandarin songs to pique his interest in the language but to no avail. We made it a point to speak Mandarin to him every day but he just was not receptive to the language and he made a conscious choice to reply to us in English. We were somewhat relieved that he understood Mandarin, but we just could not make him speak it.

Then out of the blue, the little fella shocked both Mama Lim and I, by randomly spewing phrases in Mandarin. AND he UPPED THE ANTE BY SINGING MANDARIN NURSERY RHYMES!!! (O_O) We were both happy and relieved that he was finally able to embrace speaking his mother tongue. Lots of credit has to be given to his nursery teacher, Ms. Zhao for instilling the interest in Bub and we are thankful for her efforts. 🙂

Yay!!! The Bub is a Potato no more! 😀

Aqua Bub is Leveling Up!

The Bub has surprised us all again! This little Aqua Bub is improving in leaps and bounds with each passing week. For the past few weeks, he could only do a doggy paddle while maneuvering himself in the pool. But this week, he actually raised his hips up to the surface and kicked purposefully to propel himself forward! Looks like signing him up for the swimming class is really worth it as he has become super confident in the water and has completely no fear of it now.

In the past, he would display signs of fear when he is close to the water but he is now just super confident and super ready to get into the pool for splashing good time! Most of the time, he would just wanna stay in the pool and not come out. We would have to convince him that his favourite McDonalds lunch would be sold out if he does not come out of the pool.

We’re looking toward the next weekend to have a splashing good time again! 😀

Powering through with his powerful kicks!

 

Emerging from the pool like a seasoned pro!

 

Cheeky Bub Bub!

Hanging out with the big boys now!

Return of the Aqua Bub!

With each passing week, Bub seems to be loving his swimming lessons more and more. This week, he bravely persisted with his swimming lessons in spite of the passing showers that threatened to put a premature stop to the fun.

He learnt put his head beneath the water surface and he was even brave enough to not hold the side railings when he was at the deep pool. These are little baby steps that will allow him build his water confidence and hopefully help him become a strong swimmer in the future.

But as of now, we do now want to put any pressure on him and our main emphasis is basically for him to have as much fun as he can.

After the lessons have ended, the Bub insisted on playing in the shallow pool and he clearly did not want our time at the swimming pool to end. I took the opportunity to go through some of the lessons that he learnt from his instructor and also introduce him to some of the silly games that I used to play at the pool when I was a child.

We had a splashing good time while Mama Lim watched us from the sidelines. Perhaps we’ll get Mama Lim to join us in the pool next time!

Hello Coach! I am not a sealion hor! Don’t make me retrieve rings from the bottom of the pool leh!

 

Hmmm…. Maybe my tummy preventing me from climbing out of the pool?

 

I’m not giving up!!!

 

I’m not fat! I can climb out of the pool on my own!

 

I’m trying to swim!! Please don’t distract me!!

 

Why are you taking so many pictures of me, Papa?

 

Look Papa! I am AquaBub!

 

Time to blow Bubbles again!

Adventures of Bub the Little Fish

We know that the Bub is still young and therefore have placed zero expectations on him for his swimming lessons. We just want him to have fun and be comfortable in the water.

Can you spot the little Bub in this picture?

Today he had his 4th lesson and we feel that he has grown to be confident in the pool as he did not need me to be in the water with him. Huge credit must be given to his coach, Denver who gained the trust of the Bub with each passing lesson and guided him patiently through each swimming lesson.

Listening attentively to the swimming instructor

As a child, I always loved splashing about in the pool and it has always been my wish for Bub to learn the ability to swim so that he can take care of himself in the pool. After the lesson today, I have no doubts that he has built up his water confidence and can bravely maneuver himself in the pool with the assistance of floats.

I’m next! Lalalala~

What surprised me was that he asked to continue playing in the pool long after his lesson has ended. I would have expected him to ask to finish the session so that he could have his beloved McDonalds lunch, but much to our surprise, he actually told me that he wanted to continue playing in the water. So I managed to try to incorporate some of the exercises from his swimming lesson for him to revise and he was more than willing to follow through with it.

The Bub pulls a funny face while waiting for his turn to jump into the pool.

This little fish might one day swim faster than me, but till then, let’s just let him enjoy splashing around in the pool like a carefree little toddler. 🙂

Bub mucking around after his lesson has ended.

Bub – The Little Fish!

Bub learning how to kick kick kick by the side of the pool.

Papa Lim helping Bub to swim around in the pool Can you count the number of floats on Bub? 😀

Our little bub is finally taking his first swimming lessons! As parents, we have always felt that it is necessary to Bub to learn how to swim as it is an important life-saving skill.

We signed him up for a trial class at a neighbourhood swimming pool and he seemed to enjoy himself. The swimming coach is patient and good with children, which makes it easier for Bub enjoy the swimming lesson. The coach was also mindful to avoid calling Bub as a “Baby” as he did not like being perceived to be a baby. Yes… we know… he is still a little toddler, but this little toddler has his opinions and as parents, we should be mindful and respect his feelings. 😛

On the whole, he seemed to have a fun time and we will definately be continuing the swimming lessons for little Bub! 🙂

Papa Lim encouraging Bub to swim towards him in the learning pool.

The swimming coach helping Bub to correct his kicks.

Bub the Little Fish swimming bravely on his own!