On our way to our second swimming lesson, Icka started singing, “I don’t like Donahoo, I don’t like Donahoo.” (Gretchen’s last name.) But by the fourth lesson, she and Scout were in love with Gretchen. In fact, they pray for her nightly, and if Icka forgets to mention her, Scout whispers over to Icka so that she will remember. They absolutely love her, and immediately look for her once we get to church.
So although it is great that my kids love her — the better part is that I love her! My favorite things from Gretchen — are the lipstick kisses they come out with all over their faces (she is like their very own grandmother), and her “old school” / no nonsense ways. The best example of this was when Gretchen arrived at the lessons and RoRo began crying and crying to his mom as he made up every excuse in the book of why he couldn’t swim (needed to use the bathroom, had a sick tummy, etc.). Britni tried to talk to him and console him — even bribe him to settle down. Nothing was working, until Gretchen marched right over and said to him, “You stop crying or I will throw you right in.” As the parents giggled, he immediately stopped and had a very successful lesson. And as a side note — Royal is a little fish due to Gretchen!
Scout has graduated! He no longer needs lessons, and is a literal fish. He even swam to the bottom of our 8 ft. pool a few days ago to retrieve a toy! According to Gretchen, “In all of the years [she has] taught, Scout is the very best at following directions.” That made me happy, and he totally gets it from me! Icka, on the other hand, had different reports from Gretchen. When she was supposed to “kick” she would cross her legs as tightly as she could. Gretchen would tell me she was as stubborn as a fox, and I would just have to laugh — because I already knew that! Then would Gretchen would have Icka on her back to practice floating, she would sing a song to make the time go by quickly. As Gretchen would sing, Icka would shake her hips and dance along — another thing Gretchen has never seen in all of the years she has taught.
RoRo and Grey joined the group a few weeks after we started, and after lessons, there is always a little love fest between RoRo and Icka.
Although Icka might just have the younger hunger for Grey.
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In the end, Gretchen is amazing! I give her my highest recommendation! And my kids do too!!!
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