Ohmystinkinheck

There is one thing to be said for “hoity-toity” (Sound it out people - I’ve no idea if that is an “actual” word or not, but spell check says no) neighborhoods, and that is FREE POOL USAGE! Okay, so it isn’t free for my non-golfing parents who actually live in this golfing community, BUT it is free for us! Weee!

We’ve already used the pool pass four times this summer and um…summer started last week.

Last year Kenny started letting go of his reticence to be IN the water. Before that he’d walk around and around the pool squirting his sisters with water guns or sitting on the edge and dangling his feet. As much as he is a “boy-boy” in so many other ways, he is NOT AT ALL daring. That would be my Meredith - she’s my daring one.

Though I don’t leave my kids alone when swimming, it is nice to have Emelie with me to help watch after Kenny. She’s recently been exalted to the big sister role by Kenny.

I’m not sure at what point it happened, but he now seems to recognize that he depends on her for a lot and though they still fight, he’s more likely to listen to Emelie’s direction than to Meredith. Okay fine, he never listens to Meredith’s direction - instead we hear, “You’re NOT da boss!” She doesn’t like that much, but the two are just too close in age for her to pull it off.

Emelie, on the other hand, has 6 1/2 years up on Kenny…which translates into a certain level of respect.

Yeah, she knows she’s “da bomb.”

The first time we went to the pool I took a book with me. I figured with the kids in the pool, I’d have a nice time of catch-up reading, get a bit of sun on my lily white legs, and just RELAX.

Not exactly.

Now I know I’m to get IN the pool and swim, splash, spray, piggy-back, and most especially WATCH with them the whole time.

“Momma! Watch! Are you Watching?”

And if, for any reason, it doesn’t seem I’m paying close enough attention, there is the “C’mere! Come Watch! MOOOOMMMMMAAA! Watch me!!!”

So, I waddle on over to watch the jumpage. Jumpage and splashage is important ya know.

Do you see that nose holding? It’s like a virus - spread to all my kids.

What’d I tell ya? NOSE HOLDERS - all of them.

“Didja see me? Didja? Huh? Huh?”

There are two pools in this neighborhood. This pool has two levels with a sort of “waterfall” effect that rolls over into the next level. Meredith’s in the top pool. Note how her goggles match the pool? We’re hip like that.

I like the top pool - the whole thing is only 3′ deep. I don’t worry about the cinching toward the deep end effect that happens in the bottom pool. They can play here without the freaked out momma yell, “HEY! Get back over here!”

Kenny was thinking it might be fun to jump to the bottom pool - though I think the lifeguards would frown on that.

The lifeguards would also probably suggest not doing handstands unless you’re actually gonna use your hands; it is slightly painful. Also, it is called a HEADstand, not a handstand.

Note how sympathetic Meredith is; I’m raising such kind children.

Another great feature of a waterfall is to clean one’s armpits…armpits are always so nasty when swimming.

Splish, splash, I was taking a bath…

Um…they probably don’t warrant this much work, but hey, give the girl a prize - cleanliness is right there next to godliness I’m told.

ALRIGHT ALREADY…they’re CLEAN for crying out loud.

Oh, um…come back, you missed a spot. *shhhhh* when she turns around we’ll splash her.

P.S. My son can walk on water - what can yours do?

10 Responses to ““Momma, why are pools blue?””

1. Starwoodgal (aka Jamie)

   LOL! Good old pool fun. Love it!

   (my thighs haven’t seen daylight in years.)

2. Mrs. Wilson

   Oh how fun! There’s going to be a pool at the apartment we’re moving to. I’m STOKED about it. Your kids look so confident in the water!

3. Madelyn

   Ditto to starwoodgal.
   What intriques me is that it doesn
   t look like anybody else is around….pool all to yourselves?
   ~Mad in Alabama

4. Kate

   What fun! Looks like a great day for all.

5. OMSH

   Starwoodgal My thighs are beneath pool water - which makes them look rather expansive. actually.

   Mrs. Wilson - We love, love, love, love, love it. The kids have grown in their confidence; Kenny took the longest.

   Madelyn - We go early and a lot of times there are only 2 or 3 other sets of people there. This pool is smaller, but the other pool we go to is an Olympic-sized pool. It is also why I’m on my toes; the lifeguards are often late.

6. clistyB

   definetly take advantage of the free pool!
   and the nose holding drives me insane!! I offer money to my kids if they can quit.

7. Mr. OMSH

   I’m still amazed that you were stupid brave enough to take your camera IN the pool! Good pics though…especially of our holy son.

8. bethany actually

   So many FUN photos! I love happy posts like this. Also, that photo of Mer peeking over the edge of something made me do a double-take, because she looks so much like Em in it. :-)

9. Elizabeth

   Looks like super fun. Those pictures are terrific, too!

10. Jenny

    I just took my toddler to the swim club in our town for the first time and it was the complete opposite of relaxing! I knew it would be an active day for me, but… I should have read your post first about how “not relaxing” it is to be at the pool with older kids! Though not relaxing, it certainly looks like you were having a great time… and you took gorgeous photos!