My family, Maddie, and I went boating on Lake Michigan and Bear Lake yesterday and Maddie got to swim for the first time. We had tried to get her to swim last summer, but she had sunk like a little stone - she didn't even attemt to paddle! Yesterday, however, was different. It turns out Maddie's a good little swimmer! First we started by me holding her in the water. It was so cute - she not only kicker her back feet in the water, but also her front feet that were up in the air! Knowing she understood that she needed to paddle, I held her under her belly and let her kick her legs, then let her go, and she was able to stay afloat. I wanted to see if she could swim a distance so I went in the water, carried her out a ways, and we raced back to the boat. And you know what? She beat me! It was so adorable! I wish I had pictures, I really do, but unfortunately I don't!