Good times... good times...

We gave the backyard pool a break today and ventured 40 minutes to the northwest to one of the few "real" swimming pools in this remote area I call home. Good times are always to be had when I leave home... especially when I take my inlaws with me, or rather, when they follow me since I didn't take them with me. I made them drive their own car, and I didn't even wait for them, because I'm not that nice. Actually, I had to stop and get gas and while my mother in law said they'd be glad to stop and wait for me, I reminded them that they do know the way as do I, so I didn't need anybody to hold my hand. I left approximately two minutes ahead of them and arrived about 30 seconds behind them... after waiting for a semi to turn left, and hitting three different gas stations just to find one with gas and an open spot. I'm such a rebel. With a led foot.

Anywhoozle...

I didn't drown. Not even when I jumped off the diving board. I don't do that often because I have to take off my glasses, and my eyesight is so bad, I can barely see the edge of the pool and I certainly can't see my kids. It makes me nervous. Therefore, I prefer to watch three water dogs jump repeatedly off the diving board (the youngest with a life jacket) while lazily clinging to a couple of noodles.

We had swimming races. The middle child kicked our butts repeatedly. Ishee tried so hard to swim across the pool but gave up half way. I was just beyond seriously impressed she made it that far! As for the middle child... she totally rocks!

My sister in law jumped off the diving board twice... the first time forgetting the sunglasses she'd left on her head (it's an indoor pool anyway), and nearly lost them!

My mother in law jumped off the diving board just once. The boy had to swim out and save her with a noodle. She also lost the claim tag to her clothes during the same scary dive. The middle child found it under the diving board and tried with all her might to swim to the bottom and fetch it, but just couldn't do it. I assured the MIL that it surely wasn't the first time in the pools 50 or so years of life that they'd lost a claim tag to the bottom of the pool and it surely wouldn't be the last. I couldn't imagine they'd hold her clothes hostage because of it. Besides, that's what she gets for putting it on her wrist instead of her ankle like normal folks.

The four year old niece, despite being the child who normally won't get OUT of the water, even if it's a puddle, announced she was not getting IN the water for nothing. It took about 15 minutes of begging and pleading just to get her clothes off her! We finally succeeded... and it was totally worth the wait after hearing her laugh her head off when she saw grandma jump off the diving board. Afterall, it was a spectacular jump and I hope I never have to witness another one again.

I also hope I never have to witness another teenage boy lose his swim trunks... not totally, just showing me way more than an innocent bystander should EVER see! Whoops. Luckily, he was turned the other direction and the kids didn't have to witness the debacle as it took him several moments before he noticed something had gone awry (I don't even want to know what was visible from the other side). Some things, you just don't want to see. I don't do crack. Period!

My final thoughts on these good times is...

**Diet Dr. Pepper just doesn't taste the same out of a can as it does a bottle. It's borderline undrinkable.

**Hot house tomatoes grown in what is probably old swimming pool water are the BEST!

**Double check with the kids to see if they have all their stuff... you might just get home and discover they left your favorite beach towel there.