I'm Not Above Bribery

That's right. I'm sure I'm not the only parent who feels that way. I'll use bribery. I'm not scared. For example~ Mr. Mayer and I are water people. I have been swimming for as long as I can remember. I remember being around 3 and living in Texas and my Mom put me in swim lessons. I thought it was so fun to swim to the bottom of the pool and pick up rings. I want my kids to be comfortable in the water. We have a boat. We go to the lake a lot. They need to be able to swim.
By the time Diva was 6 months old she was in her first swim class. She loved water. All things about water. The following 2 summers were the same. She was in swim lessons as soon as there was an opening. Again. Loved the water. She did great. Then twins happened. I feel that Diva has gotten the short end of the stick. I did not have the energy for swim lessons. We did not go to the lake much. We were not water people that summer. I had the best laid plans to get her back in swim lessons the following summer. That was before I knew what twins entailed. I was in no shape mentally to do anything last summer. Mr. Mayer and I were just trying to survive. This summer I was determined. I was determined that Diva would stop being put on the back burner because I was overwhelmed. I was determined that we would start doing some fun things. I would stop making excuses and start living life. I enrolled her in swim lessons. The first lessons she has had in 2 years. Yikes! I was confident she would rock it. BAHAHAHAHA!!!! I'm an idiot.
Not only did she not rock. She cried the first 3 days. Then the owner had to get on the diving board and push her in the water. Oh-em-gee....this is not happening. I did not understand what was going on with her. She has always loved the water. Why in the world was she acting like she would melt? Sheesh. I talked to her instructor (who was insanely awesome). She assured me it was normal behavior and that "we" would work through it. Ugh. I hope. I know that she can be a little stubborn and dramatic. I know. I know. Shocking. It's true. So. I used bribery. She desperately wanted the new Justin "Veiver" CD because he's so "good." Um. Yeah, whatever. I had ammo. I told Diva that if she could pull her ~~shit, er,~~ um, stuff together and stop crying and acting like a baby that I would buy her the CD and she wouldn't even have to use her allowance (that's a WHOLE other blog post). We had a deal. She was super stoked about that prospect. The next day she was her normal super confident self. She was jumping in the deep end. Going off the diving board and putting her head under the water. Whuck?! Where did this come from. Just yesterday she was a hysterical mess. After class I was complimenting her and telling her how awesome she was. Her teacher looked at me and said "She really wants that CD." Diva had told her about our deal. Hmmmm....please don't think I'm a bad Mom. That same day Aunt Betsy sent me a text with a picture of an OSU t-shirt and asked if Diva would wear that. I asked Diva who gave an emphatic yes. I told Aunt Betsy. Aunt Betsy made a deal with Diva. If she would get it together and do great in her swim class she would give her that shirt. Diva was so excited. I'm glad someone can buy her clothes because she hates anything I buy her. Clothing her has been difficult. Oh, sorry. Getting off track.
So....no crying at swim lessons and jumping in the water will get her a new CD AND a "Go Pokes" t-shirt. That kid was a rock star. She started doing big jumps and swimming under water. I'm fairly convinced she was acting those first few days. Today was her last lesson. They give out little completion cards. It would either say "Completed" or "Participated." Me being the awesome Mom that I am was fully prepared for a "Participated." I had already enrolled Diva in the another 2 week swim class in a few weeks. I was fully prepared for her to have to repeat her current level. So, you can imagine my surprise when she was given this card after class....