"Gone swimming"

This is the sign I'd like to hang on our door this summer...

Our subdivision has its own pool, which I adore, especially because it is just a short walk from our house (i.e. no wrangling the kids into the car) and it's the most I see of many of my neighbors.  I went all the time last summer when I was home and pregnant with the twins.  It opened over Memorial Day weekend, but we've been out of town mostly since then, so this weekend was our first chance to go. 

I was so excited to get them in the water that I had actually carted all their swim stuff with us on our recent road trips when we were staying in hotels with pools, but my dad (a retired hydrogeologist and lifelong killjoy) convinced me they would do fine at this age to skip the high bacteria (and typically therefore chemical) levels common at indoor hotel pools, as they are not typically managed by a professional.

What the kids are up for at this age is sunscreen (and 7th Generation just started making a nice one), which I neurotically slathered all over them, even though we went at about 5pm and it was overcast.  Nothing like having a friend whose toddler fought skin cancer to put the total fear of the sun in you.

The kids loved "swimming" or should I say floating, which made me so happy.  Unfortunately, at this age taking them both by myself would be challenging, so it may be reserved for a weekend/Daddy or avec sitter activity.

Chewing on her sunglasses like a cool pool girl

Man enough to lay on his sister's flower towel

(don't forget to change @ the pool, swim diapers don't hold pee...)

They were both so chill, I think this is their natural element.

Daddy wants to make sure they are good swimmers, as kids in India don't typically learn to swim, and learning as a adult is tough stuff.

Mommy with her outside water babies

I had planned to get the kids into swim lessons with the Park District this summer, but DH's India trip threw our June plans for a loop.  Now I've learned that the outdoor town pool offers "lessons" starting at six months (Guppies!), so we may check those out instead.  By Fall, I think we'll definitely be ready to join the Y or the gym for entertainment.

We had so much on the docket (and it was really warm) this weekend that I bagged walking in the Race for the Family 5K, though I did register/donate.  Hopefully we'll do it next year as a family.  I'm looking for other 5K's that we can all do together as I've discovered that most races here are CARA (Chicago Area Runners Assoc.) certified and therefore do not allow strollers in their races. :(  Boo...