06/21/2009

Pool Rules

Well, we joined the local pool this summer and Ann and the boys have been going every day. The boys have tans and their hair is now back to a beautiful blonde color. Their tan lines are funny to see - who knew the Barlow boys could tan? - and they all have their mother's freckles.

I finally was able to go to the pool with them on Saturday and was shocked to discover that chicken fighting is not allowed at that pool. These were the staples of my childhood pool going experience:

1. Chicken fighting - you know, four people, in two pairs, fighting on each other's shoulders to push the other pair down.

2. Marco Polo - no explanation required

3. Trying to make a splash big enough off of the diving board to wet the lifeguard in his or her chair.

I suppose Marco Polo is allowed, but that's about it. Too bad.

The pool is fun, though. I jumped off of the diving board and realized that it has been about 20 years since I've done that. It was actually a little frightening at first. For most of my teenage years I was way too self-conscious to even take off my shirt, so 20 years is about right. I probably missed out on a lot of fun, but it's not like fears are rational. Now, there are so many people at the pool who look worse than I do, so I don't mind. Plus, before I was just destroying my own fun, but I hate to ruin things for the boys just because their dad won't get in the pool. So this summer I've been exposing my pitiful physique to the world.

Well, gotta run. We're now reading "Hatchet" at bedtime and can't wait to find out what happens next.

I need to blog about our little turtles that we have now - they are little half-dollar sized red-eared sliders. They are doing wonderfully, and eating the turtle food so I know they'll make it.