First Dips in the Pool

A couple days ago we visited Lake Park for the first time this season.  It's open house for the next few weeks, so we invited a bunch of friends to join us.

I wasn't really sure what to expect out of this trip.  Julia hadn't really been to the pool since September (tsk tsk).  I know, I should practice what I preach and take her to the pool throughout the winter to keep up her skills and courage for the upcoming summer.  This winter I had a really good excuse as I was pregnant and added little Sarah to our family in January.  

Taking two kids to the pool is pretty crazy, but less crazy when the little one is happily asleep in the stroller for the first part of the trip.  We spent a few minutes in the baby pool where Julia got to splash around.  Later we went into the 2-foot section of the big pool while Sarah happily snoozed nearby.  Good, still no fear of the water.  I didn't ask her to do much, just let her bounce around.  Next time we'll try jumping off the side of the pool.  Maybe when Mike can help out.....

After a few minutes, Sarah woke up so I held her next to the baby pool.  I didn't bother putting her in a swim suit and swim diaper.  You KNOW those swim diapers are not waterproof, and she's only 3 months old.  I did dip her tiny toes in the water.  Can't wait to get her all the way in!

This will be the summer I try to get Julia to do some real swimming!  Stay tuned to hear our successes and struggles.

Oh darn, forgot to take a picture!

Raleigh Parks: public pools around Raleigh

I was interested in visiting and reviewing some of Raleigh's fine public pools.  Then I remembered my friend Kris probably already had done the same thing on her Raleigh parks blog.  Lo and behold she had! I've been given permission to compile her reviews and visits to share with you.


photo by K.Montgomery raleighparks.org

4th of July fun at the lake

Our family visited my mother-in-law at Smith Mountain Lake.  It was a gorgeous weekend, not too hot or humid.  My parents visited the lake house from Richmond for some extra family time.

My dad took Julia to the dock to try and catch some fish.  They had a lot of success catching bluegills with some worms.  I managed to catch a cute moment on my phone.

Water safety: beyond the pool

The pool is not the only aquatic environment our children are exposed to in the summer.  We have to be cautious anywhere a child could potentially drown and take precautions to prevent accidents.  My goal is not to scare your family away from the water, just shed some light on some hazards.   Let's take a look at the obvious and not so obvious situations.