Maarten

Hurrah! Maarten finally passed his swimming test this afternoon for the first so-called A-diploma. An amazing feat, of course. Just in time for his seventh birthday. Seven years old already? We are very happy, and relieved. All those tiring mornings over the last year, his crying fits, poor Maarten struggling and feeling frustrated, swimming laps back and forth, etc. has turned out to be well worth the hassles. He can now officially swim on his own. That is good in a country with so much water everywhere. Though he doesn't show it, I am certain that he is now more confident about himself and his abilities.