At the Pool

We had a great summer of going to the pool and splash pad at the YMCA.  It was mostly me meeting up with friends, so we stuck to the toddler pool and splash pad areas, but a few times Chris came and we could go play in the big pool.  Jane loved her floaties this summer.  The moment she put them on and started paddling around by herself, she had the most adorable excited grin all over her face.  She loved her new freedom to explore the pool.  Peter had no interest in wearing them or getting into the pool.  He was content to stay mostly out of the water and play in it with cups and buckets.  (But more than that, he preferred to eat snacks on the sidelines.)  I didn't push him either.  I couldn't manage the three kids in the deep pool, so he didn't get much practice.  This was our last summer trip to the pool, and since Daddy was with us, we told Peter he was going to learn to swim with his floaties on.  We were delighted when he didn't hesitate.  He put them on and headed in, and he loved it.  He had the goofiest grin on his face the whole time and we kept getting the giggles just looking at him; Mouth closed (to keep the water out), smiling, and squinting into the sun.  I love that little boy.