Little Fishes

Today our local pool opened. Tonight we took the girls for their first swim of the season. For Lydia it was her first swim ever. Totally didn't think of that until just now. Now I'm wishing I had a camera there. You'll have to settle for this instead.

No, Lydia hasn't grown that much in a couple of days. That photo is of Madeline an I on June 11, 2008. (I think I miss my shorter hair. Don't tell Kevin I said that. He might schedule a haircut for me.) I can't believe how little she looks in that photo. She was 13 months old.

But back to today: Madeline was so very very excited about her first trip to the pool. I know that she remembers being at the pool last year, but when we started talking about going to the pool tonight she was full of questions.

How do we get to the pool?

Do we walk or drive?

Will you stroll my sister? (put Lydia in the stroller)

What do I wear?

Do I have a swim suit?

What does it look like?

Do I put it on at home?

Do I wear that in the pool?

Why do I have to wear a cover up?

Do I wear that in the pool too?

What do I wear on my feet?

How do you get into the pool?

What is a pool pass?

Do I have a pool pass?

Can I hold my pool pass?

Why did we give our pool pass to that guy?

Will he give it back?

Now what do we do with the pool pass?

Where is the bathroom?

Do they have a toilet in the bathroom?

Can I use the bathroom?

Why are we walking by the pool?

Why do we use this chair?

Why did you put the bag down?

Where do you put your shoes?

Why do I have to take my cover up off?

Where do you get in the pool?

Are you going to go with me?

And those were just the questions in the 15 minutes it took to leave the house and get to the pool. Once there she had even more questions. But what I remember about our hour at the pool was her face.

As a kid I loved swimming. I lived at the pool for more than one summer and I loved to swim more than anything. I have always wanted my kids to love the water as much as I do. When the photo above was taken Madeline loved the water. Last year however, Madeline was very hesitant in the water. We spent a week in Florida and she spent most of her time on the stairs, just not to sure about the water.

After tonight I don't have to worry about her being hesitant. I do however have to make sure she is constantly within reach. She is no were near swimming, but she is trying. Tonight she blew bubbles in the water and used pool noodles to help her float. If she keeps this up, she will be a fish by the end of the summer.

She was so full of joy at the pool I don't know how to describe it. The smile on her face was huge. Tonight was exactly what I wanted from my kid's pool experience.

And Lydia, Lydia was hilarious. It was very close to her bed time so she was tired. Even so, she liked the pool water. At one point, Kevin was holding her and was taking his hand in and out of the water. As he'd lift it up out of the water she would laugh out loud. It was totally adorable. She is so much fun right now. I can't even begin to tell you how silly she is, even at only 7 months old. I LOVE it!

I can't wait for many more nights like tonight. Summer is here. I love it.

mg