Having Fun is Hard Work

This afternoon as I got ready to meet Joel at the pool (he was at work this morning) I suddenly realized what a production it is to get the kids ready to go to the pool. It took me almost all of Becca's naptime to get us ready to go. I packed a tote bag-- towels, diapers, wipes, swim diapers, water toys, Joel's bathing suit, sun block, extra clothes, etc etc. I packed a small cooler -- bottle for Rebecca, snack and drink for Ben and Joel (they both get ratty without their afternoon snack). I loaded the trunk with an assortment of things that would not fit in the tote bag -- Ben's noodle, arm floaties, large purple sea-horse (see pictures). Changed into my bathing suit. Nagged Ben until he changed into his. When Rebecca woke up I put her in her bathing suit and applied so much sun block that she turned about 3 shades whiter than usual. Loaded her in the car. Loaded Ben in the car. Arrived at the pool. Unloaded: Stroller, tote bag, cooler, Becca into the stroller, Ben, noodle, arm floaties, large purple sea horse... phew.

Once we get there and get settled it feels like we're on vacation. Well, almost. It's just that after going through all that work to get there, you almost do need a vacation... and then when you're done you have to load and unload everything all over again.

Rebecca chillin' at the pool:



And Ben swimming: (Sort of. Considering where we started at the beginning of the summer --refusing to let go of me in the water and refusing to put his head under-- this is great progress).