From Polliwog to Guppy

Clever old Finn! No longer deemed a Polliwog, he is about to enter the uber-impressive world of the Guppy. Confused? Everybody is. Including, it would seem, the people who book children in for their swimming lessons, for it is those of which we speak: swimming lessons.

When we first joined the Community Centre, we joined Preschool Level something-hopeless, which soon proved unsuitable for my boy and he was soon moved to Preschool Level something-more-appropriate. Then the Community Centre was no more. Alas! Not really, it is still here but is now the YMCA, yes Brits, just like in the snigger-inducing song. Now we no longer have  'Levels' into which our children are entered, they are now launched headlong into the truly more aquatic sounding groups of Eels, Polliwogs. Guppies and the suchlike, all far less confusing. Or is it? For indeed, who can tell at a single glance whether a Polliwog precedes an Eel or otherwise? Does a Guppy out swim a Minnow or not? Who knows? No one. And that, friends, is the problem. No one knows. And it is with much consulting of notes and phone calls to the Aquatic Director that the answers are sought. And sometimes even found.

Anyway. The swim lessons have just come to the end of their 6 week block, and Finn has been passed! He has left the world of the Polliwog behind and will now be swimming with the Guppies, which answers one of my questions at least. Good Job Finnster.

But there is a slight hitch, as ever. Because, you see, in order to be a Guppy, you have to be 5. 'Coz that's how old Guppies are. Finn on the other hand......... Tomorrow I have to seek out the aforementioned Director of Aquatics and ask her permission for Finn to be promoted to the next group (shoal?) To be fair, she let him become a Polliwog before the prescribed age, but who knows how it will turn out this time. Will Finn have to cool his heels with the Polliwogs for another 6 months or will he be released into the deep blue yonder?

I'll keep you posted.