Pool

We've spent a lot of time in our bathing suits this summer. Between the pool and the lake, the kids have become masters of the water. 

The best thing that happened to Warner for swimming was last summer, when I forgot his puddle jumper at the lake after July 4th. Without the assistance of floaties back at our neighborhood pool, he realized he could touch in the shallow end and developed a confidence in the water he otherwise wouldn't have found. I probably wouldn't have suggested he swim without assistance last summer either, but it just sort of happened and I'm happy it did.

This summer he has completely mastered swimming. Well, for a four year-old. He can swim the entire length of the pool by himself, retrieve toys from the bottom of the pool, and is working on diving. He can even have underwater tea parties with me but I'm guessing that won't last long since it's not a very masculine thing to do. I loved underwater tea parties as a kid. They were right up there with Marco/Polo. Remember that game? I can't wait to teach my kids that one too.

Maren still wears her puddle jumper in the big pool but is a free woman in the baby pool (which she enjoys immensely). We've practiced swimming in the big pool without her floaties, but just on the steps so far. She's not tall enough to touch bottom so I'm guessing we'll be working harder on swimming next summer when she's grown a bit more.

My sweet girl is rough and tumble and completely girly all at the same time. So while she insists on wearing matching bathing suits and hats and having her hair pulled back while at the pool, she can also do a mean cannonball. She has no fear in life, and water is no different. 

We're so blessed to have a pool in our neighborhood and have certainly gotten our money's worth for the small association dues we pay! I told Kevin once about how great the kids were getting at swimming and he said "well anyone will be good at something they do for ten hours each day!" Funny, but practically true. We've spent plenty of days from 10am until 4pm at the pool this summer.

Generally we pack a lunch and/or snacks for pool days, and of course the kids insist on keeping to our typical routine with each visit. We have to put our things at the same table and chairs, pack the same food, eat and swim at a certain time, etc. The kids love eating lunch picnic-style on the ground and if I bring Pirate's Booty for a snack you'd think I'd given each of them a million dollars. It's the small things in life, I suppose.

Unfortunately with Labor Day coming up our pool days are numbered. It's been a fun summer and I'm excited to see what next summer brings for my little fish.