Last Saturday I sat in my bikini with a beer in one hand, my sunglasses on and my feet dangling in the water. Besides the awful beer choice (I tried Budweiser’s Select 55 cal..in the future I’ll pass on the ice-cream and stick to my full calorie wheat beer), the evening was glorious. Just me, the pool, my husband and…..THE KIDS! I know, after my last post your probably surprised. Well, there is one place on earth; although it feels like heaven to me, that I can actually kick my feet back and carry on a conversation with my kids around. Thank you God for concrete holes in the ground!
I love the pool. I always have. Luckily, my kids are just as enchanted. I hate to admit I moved to our current house because of the pool but it is true. The baby pool is gated and spacious. The “big” pool is massive for neighborhood pool standards, has a swim-team and is guarded. The shallow end of the big pool has a step expanding the entire side of the pool, and entertains my children for hours.
As of now, I can take my kids to the pool by myself and they do great. They stay right by my side and do not wander the pool deck. We go about 3-4x/week. I believe in letting kids learn how the water works through experience. The first few times to the pool, they went under several times and drank a good amount of water. Now, they go under occasionally but usually are able to get themselves back up quickly. I don’t use any sort of flotes b/c I want them to learn to swim appropriately. I’m a swimmer and a former swim-coach so I’m saving tons of money and teaching my kids how to swim myself. So far, Mia is really close. Marcus and Josie aren’t too far behind.
Our trips to the pool keep my sane. All hell can break lose at home but as soon as we pull up to the pool, all is right with the world. The kids look so cute in their bathing suits, they are deceivingly angelic and we all have a blast for a few peaceful hours. Plus, almost every time I go someone tells me how amazed they are with how well my kids listen. The pool is so much cheaper than therapy, has less side effects than anti-depressants and works just as well!
Now, I know some people aren’t fond of drinking on playdates. They’d probably be appaled to read this post…drinking, swimming and no life-jackets!! I assure you, I’ve never had more than a beer or two, my kids are always within reach and if one goes under, the beer is sacrificed. Luckily, the plastic cups float.
Here are a few pics from a recent trip. I think these pics capture their personalities well.
Waiting on their kick-boards before I let them in.
Josie showing her usual sweet side.
Mia has a very colorful temperament. You never know what you’ll get.
What a surprise, Marcus wants the toys his next door neighbor and cousin have!
Two posts in two weeks! I must have free time on my hands! Of course I don’t. I do miss blogging though and am trying to get back into it.
I’ve been reading your blog since before your miracles came along. My guys are only a couple of months older, so most of what you’re going through is something I just went through, am currently going through or am about to go through. Thanks for keeping it real. It’s an amazing, though sometimes crazy and stressful, journey.