The good part about the impending heat that is knocking on the door is the pool opened yesterday. Obviously we enjoy the refreshing coolness the pool provides on hot days, but there are several other benefits that I didn't realize a pool offered until recently. The neighborhood pool is close by and provides a great source of entertainment and allows the kids to get out of the house not only on the weekend, but it gives Lauren something to do with them as well during the week. The sun and pool is a great recipe to wear out a child, and they always take extra long naps after they have been there. Though I don't claim to be proud of the next benefit I mention, it is a benefit none the less. We don't feel like we have to give them a bath before night time if they have been in the pool. It's kind of like a bath.........
Lily has been waiting for the pool to open ever since the day it closed last September, and we have been counting down the days until it opened. Towards the end of last summer she was doing a great job swimming in the "big pool" all by herself, and I thought it may take some time for her to get back to that point. Opening day, she and I made our way out there during the rest of the kids nap time and she started off in the kiddie pool just to become acclimated. It didn't take her long and she was back in the "big pool" swimming just as well as where she ended up last summer. Did I mention the water is still very cold at this point. As usual, once you get in you get used to it pretty quickly, but I'm always amazed how kids just jump right in and the chill of the water doesn't phase them a bit. I almost forgot to mention that Lily did forget when putting on your swimsuit, you should take off your panties first. She was very proud that she got ready for the pool all by herself, and then it dawned on her that something just didn't quite feel right.
Today the whole family spent some time out there in the sun (they are napping soundly right now) and everybody had a great time. Lawson Boy wasn't too sure about the whole thing, but by the end of it he was sitting in the wading pool splish splashing around having a great time. He literally sat there and splashed water in his face over and over for a good 15 to 20 minutes. He was feeling pretty brave until he tried to turn over and start crawling in the water and realized he could not breathe under water. He is a tough guy though and was back splashing around in no time at all.
Abby is a little more adventerous than Chloe and once she had her floaties on, she was right in the thick of things. Chloe was her usual timid self and eased her way in, but got up the nerve to go out in the deep end with me and even let me throw her along with Abby. It's going to be a good summer and I look forward to watching them further their swimming skills along with the great naps of course.
Earlier this week Lily had her preschool graduation, and it was very cute. The kids sang a couple of songs and then walked the stage to get their diploma. As each kid exited the stage, the teacher explained what they would like to be when they grow up. Lily would like to be a princess when she grows up. I guess when they were practicing their walk across the stage, the teacher handed them something and then the child would give it back for the next kid to practice. Lily walked the stage, shook hands, received her diploma, took a few steps, and then as Mrs. Matiko was stepping to the microphone to explain Lily would like to be a princess, the princess was tapping her on the leg trying to give the diploma back to her. Practice makes perfect I suppose.
It is not too often that I get to spend some one on one time with Abby or Chloe. It just usually works out that where one goes, the other one goes. I know it is good for them to get some one on one time with both Kasey and I, and it probably doesn't hurt for them to get a break from each other from time to time. So I decided to take Chloe with me this morning to run some errands. This did not make Abby happy one bit, and upon arriving home, Kasey informed me that Abby stood at the door pounding on it and screaming for daddy for 20 minutes. That did not make me feel especially good, but the short time Chloe and I had together was a lot of fun. Unfortunately they are too frequently identified as twins and not separately as Abby and Chloe. They really do have unique personalities and it is a lot of fun to enjoy the unique person they are when they are by themselves. I never fully understood what a jabber box Chloe is. She did not stop talking for a second the whole time we were out. The time together reminded me alot of the couple of months when Kasey was in the hospital expecting the twins and Lily got to spend so much quality time together. So I'm making it a point to do something one on one with each of them going forward, and Abby is next on the list.
I'm off to join the rest of the crew in a few minutes of afternoon slumber. The pool and sun tend to take it out of me as well.
Jeff, Kasey, Lily, Abby, Chloe and Aquaman
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