Jul 31, 201201:00 PMHoneybee Mama
The Magic of the Swimming Pool
This has been the first Summer that we decided to join a neighborhood pool. Since it was my first Summer at home with school aged children, I knew I would need a "go-to" activity for the kids. At first I thought about getting a gym membership, so there would be other options besides the pool and possibly discounted or free day camp options. Then, my sister-in-law mentioned the idea of sharing a family membership to her neighborhood pool. I figured that was the best of both worlds since I would pay a one time fee which would cover us for the whole Summer.
It turns out that joining Forest Creek Pool was one of the best investments I could ever make. Honestly, it doesn't have many bells and whistles. There's no kiddie pool, splash park or super cool twisty slides. There is one small slide and a diving board in one pool, and a second pool with nothing more than stairs leading into the shallow end. On the same property is a beautifully shaded neighborhood playground that's especially helpful during the ten minute adult swim every hour!
It also has a snack bar with gigantic snow cones, soft pretzels (my favorite), and corn dogs. The boys have spent the majority of their allowance this summer at the snack bar!
Our pool also had Red Cross swim lessons available and discounted the price for pool members. It was so great because getting them to the pool every morning became a routine part of the day for the two weeks they were in class. We were already going to the pool, so we would go to class, go run an errand or two and then the pool would be open for afternoon swimming for us!
If your kids are 10 or older and can pass a swim test, they're allowed to be there without an adult, which has been a fantastic option for my oldest nephew to exercise his independence. They even have "Dive In Movies" and other weekend activities like Pizza Parties for the older kids.
Besides the practical reasons our pool membership has been so great, I have so enjoyed the magic of it. Maybe it's Summer itself, or the freedom of the water or the sunshine, but something transformational happens to the kids when we get there. The little ones suddenly need nothing from me and lose themselves in splashing and exploring, either alone or with other children. Even the ones in life jackets just float and swim aimlessly in the water, often talking and singing to themselves in their own little world.
The older children play "Marco Polo" and "Sharks and Minnows" and help the younger ones count their change at the snack bar. I can't help but overhear the teenage girls talking about cute boys and critiquing each others swim suits. The young men strut for the ladies and nearly break their necks trying to perform outrageous stunts on the diving board.
The swimming pool has become this microcosm of life, and as simple as it is it's a mini-vacation for us every afternoon we spend there.
If you're interested, Forest Creek is offering discounted membership prices for the end of the Summer, and I wouldn't be surprised if other neighborhood pools are doing the same! You've got to stay cool in this insane heat!
See you around town!
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Having always said that life shouldn't get in the way of living, Missy strives to find adventure with her children even when things get hairy. Missy and her husband, Marc, have four children. With busy schedules and a small business to run, Missy is not lacking for things to occupy her time. She understands the challenges of being a single parent and is learning to be a stepmom. A Tulsa native, this mama loves exploring fun activities locally and shares her experiences with you in her blog. Upfront and honest, she doesn't pull any punches about meltdowns in the mall or potty accidents at public events. She carries her unique perspective into every challenge she encounters, sharing insights with her readers along the way.
