Nana and Papa put a pool in 3 years ago and every summer we enjoy it just as much, if not more than the summer before. We can't say thank you enough and we cherish the times we are together making memories.
Here's a typical outing with the kids -
Kids squeal out the backdoor in swimsuits, running full speed towards the water. One of them is a competent swimmer, but still has to be watched like a hawk. He's no Michael Phelps. The other is a mostly fearless, hot mess who has shaved at least a decade of years off my life this summer already. We are learning water safety but her adventurous side is trying to reign victorious.
Me: Hold on, let’s put sunscreen on before you get in.
Smothers both children with sunscreen and hopes for the best.
Wait, Ruby, where’s your floatie?
Rummages through one of our multiples bags of crap.
Did we leave your swim shoes at home again?
Henry from across the pool, standing boldly on the rock: Mom! Watch this!
Me: Awesome, cannonball!
Now what was I looking for....
Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids.
RJ: Mommy! Shoes!
Prances around impatiently waiting for me to get it together so she can enjoy the 24 thousand gallons of fun.
One of many adults to a squealing child: Just because we are outside doesn’t mean you have to scream.
Kids gang up in collective roar.
Another Adult: Pretty sure the whole neighborhood can hear you. Shhh!
After 2 more trips inside the house, I finally find my sunglasses that were missing, kick off my flip flops and put my hair in a pony tail. Next, I find a pool noodle to float on and I work up the courage to step in the almost-always-chilly-at-first water. I'm a baby and their pool is mostly shaded.
Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids.
Gets into pool. Sigh of success. Kids are happily swimming and all my body weight is happily floating.
Me and/or Nikki to at least one if not all of our precious children: get my hair wet and I’ll drown you. Laughs devilishly, but seriously.
Kids chasing each other.
Multiple adults yelling "no running around the pool!"
Kids cannonball into the pool.
Series of waves and a mild tsunami disrupt once previous peaceful floating.
Kids splashing and yelling but happy.
Loving Empty Nest Adult: Seriously, why are you hollering? We are all right here.
Head count. One kid. Two kids. Nikki's kids.
Another Loving Empty Nest Adult: I bet your kids will sleep good tonight.
Secretly thanking God they get to go home to a quiet house sans our rowdy kids.
10 minutes after getting into the pool
Henry: I'm hungry. Can we have a snack?
RJ: I wan ‘nacky!
Out we get for towels, snacks, drinks and coordinated chaos. Wash, rinse, repeat until toddler wears out or the mosquitoes get too aggressive and we have to retreat.
Here's a typical outing without the kids -
Just
kidding.
I have NO IDEA what that second scenario looks like. That’s
just a long-term goal that might come true in 15+ years. In the meantime, I’ll
be poolside enjoying my crazies and the fun times together. Cheers and much sunscreen. But quit
hollering!
