I just wanted to mention that my baby girl can swim. Yes, really swim. She has been a waterbaby since she was 1 1/2 and would pop her head under water at any given opportunity. She has been swimming with her back bubble since she was 2 or so.

This summer has been hot and we have spent almost each afternoon and many hours on the weekends in our pool. Last week she decided she didn't want to wear her bubble any more. I told her that was fine but she wouldn't be allowed to go into the deep end. We talked about having some swimming lessons before she could swim in the deep end by herself. She seemed happy with that for a few days.

On Thursday afternoon she told me she could go into the deep end because she could swim. I said "sure you can" but she insisted that she could. So I humoured her and went into the deep end with her. Well, blow me down, but somehow she has learnt to swim on her own... in the deep end... with no bubble.

Marianna is one determined, strong minded little 3 1/2 year old. She thinks things through and does whatever it takes to achieve her aims. It does make her a difficult child to parent at times but it makes my motherly heart flutter and ache at the possibilities life may have in store for her.