Growing up in Roseville, California, we had a pool in our backyard.
Countless hours each summer were spent splashing and playing in the clear water.
I had the freedom to dive in the water headfirst, to swim as long as I wanted. To bask in the sun and soak up those harmful rays with my eyes closed, not a care in the world.
Fast forward many years and it’s all different now.
I live in a different state, with my own kids, and no pool right in my backyard.
Instead, we head to the local public pool once a week.
Where lots of other families (and field trips full of kids) go to beat the heat.
As I sit in the little pool with my baby, carefully watching her as the other kids crash into each other, I reflect back on my childhood and the summers spent in the pool.
While I love seeing Hayley conquer her fear of the diving board and Layla pretend to float on her back, a piece of me misses that freedom to just swim.
Maybe one day I’ll have it again.
Maybe.
Until then, I think I’ll just keep sipping on this Chocolate Raspberry Sparkler.
Don’t forget to join Mama Track and I for the first Essence of Now linkup that starts this Friday.
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Twitter: AlisonSWLee
says:
I think it’s time to tell John to start digging the backyard for a pool.
Alison recently posted..I Am…..A Poem
I wish. Sadly our backyard won’t work for a pool.
I would LOVE to have a pool in our backyard. I totally get it about the field trips and other families at the public pool…sometimes, it’s so annoying.
Runnermom-jen recently posted..The Color Run!!
The field trip kids are always so rude and never pay attention to other kids.
Twitter: bocafrau
says:
I realize I’m so lucky to have a backyard pool… it’s great for the kids to be able to jump in pretty much whenever they want without having to pack up the “whole” house. I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you will be able to enjoy the same again soon.
Susi recently posted..Thanks… for this! {Monday Listicles}
That’s awesome you have a pool. I hope your kids enjoy it.
Twitter: applesndroses
says:
It must be awesome to have a pool in the backyard!
I hope one day you’ll have one.
And I would like one too, but then I would have to move to another country..If I don’t want to freeze in the pool.
Mirjam recently posted..Falling in love
Maybe you should get a very large hot tub.
Twitter: AccidentalDesig
says:
I never thought about it, but, there are a lot of things in life that are like that when you’re grown.
Yes, there are. That’s life I suppose.
Twitter: corp2domestic
says:
I want a pool too…but as long as I don’t have to clean it!
Natalie recently posted..A Little Sneak Peek…
I agree with that!
Where I live, no one has a pool. Too cold. So I’ve always envied those who grew up with a pool, because it signifies warm climate and, let’s face it, that’s pretty awesome.
Nicole recently posted..I’m not dumb but I can’t understand how he lifts me in the air just by raising his hand
Warm climate is awesome. I agree with you on that.
Twitter: babspinfrance
says:
What I wouldn’t give to just have a backyard like I had growing up. Our next home is definitely going to have a pool!
Barbara recently posted..Aix-en-Provence
I hope you get your pool!
Twitter: suitcasetricks
says:
I wish I could let my kids just go outside and play without them being snatched by a weirdo. I won’t even let Ryan walk to the bus stop at the end of the street alone.
Ali recently posted..Weird Husband Beliefs – My Letter to Katie Holmes
Seriously. I hate that my kids can’t play out front like I used to do. Stupid weirdos.
We don’t even have a local public pool
It is one of the major downfalls about living in our city. We moved here for the nightlife and didn’t expect to be raising our family here. Stupid market crash.
angela recently posted..Wisdom in Groundhog Day
What? You need to move to Reno. Stat.
Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
I couldn’t agree more! We had a pool in the house I lived in from age 3 to 13 and I still miss it to this day. My sister, the neighbor girl & I spent COUNTLESS hours in it as kids. Amazing memories!
Water has always been a big part of my life from that pool, to then moving at 13 to a new town with a huge, beautiful river & a small family boat.
I always wanted to live on a lake or have a pool so the boys would have the same experiences I had. Total ‘First World Problem’ – but it does sometimes get me a little bummed out. Sometimes you really want your kids to have the same summertime fun experiences you had.
Elena recently posted..A Foodie’s Guide to Beating the Heat
Fortunately we have a boat and spend a lot of time at the lake and I can take the kids to the public pool but it is different not having one right in the backyard.
I say we buy a huge piece of land, build a few houses on it and a pool. Then we can all live there, swim, and drink every day.
Twitter: elenawollborg
says:
I love this plan.
Elena recently posted..A Foodie’s Guide to Beating the Heat
I thought you might.
Twitter: KimberlyAMuro
says:
I have a pool. Come to Jersey and we can swim. And meet Snooki.
Kimberly recently posted..Un-Beautiful Hands
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
Ha! Ha! I’m glad to know I’m not the only one who watches Jersey Shore . . . oh now my secret is out!
Erin recently posted..Making Lemonade
Don’t worry. Your secret is safe with me and Kimsley.
I knew she was your BFF.
I love it when we had a small wading pool! Cleaning a big pool isn’t supposed to be much fun!
JDaniel4′s Mom recently posted..Olympics for Kids- Fruit Filled Olympic Rings
I’m sure it’s a lot easier to clean the small wading pool than a big pool.
Twitter: UniquelyEN
says:
I would love to have a pool that someone else took care of . . . is that kind of like wanting to have my cake and eat it too?
Sure would be nice to have one now though. We’re on a water ban and can’t even fill up small pools in our yards. If I had a big pool this wouldn’t be a problem.
Erin recently posted..Making Lemonade
A water ban must suck. Hope that ends soon for you.
Twitter: beeswithhoney
says:
Never grew up with a pool but I can imagine how wonderful that must of been. Wish we had one in our backyard too!
Bruna recently posted..how i get my kids to do things without nagging them
It was always nice to be able to go right out the back door and swim.
This is a beautiful post. I would love to have a pool in my backyard, too, but I think I would easily tire of having to care for it.
Jessica recently posted..Photography lighting tips to get pictures like the pros
I would probably end up hiring someone.
Is that an indoor pool? No sunblock required? I spend so much time applying sunblock, and so much money, an indoor pool seems wonderful.
marie recently posted..Lakeside
I take the girls to an indoor pool for swim lessons and an outdoor pool for when we actually go swimming. I like the indoor pool for lessons because I don’t have to lube everyone up with sunscreen.
So I read this the other day and then I had to come back and comment…are you really this chill in person? Is there no crazy lurking back in there? Because you seem like the most laid back person in the Twitterverse and I have to know, how DO you do it?
It’s the booze, huh? Gotta be the booze.
Julie recently posted..He’s a big kid now! #iPPP
There is a bit of crazy in me but it only comes out if I’ve had a lot of tequila or someone really stupid pisses me off.
I’m with Alison. BACKYARD POOL. Then we’d really move in.
And yep, I miss the days of just swimming.
Natalie @MamaTrack recently posted..A Day At Work
Dude. I’m thinking of building a big ass house for all of my blog friends to come and hang out with me (and so we can drink together, of course).
Twitter: krrobi
says:
Ahhh, a cool pool…
something to strive for, my dear.
In the meantime, just enjoy your kiddies. X
My Inner Chick recently posted..BLOG LIKE GAGA
I am enjoying every second with them this summer.
I wish we had a pool in the backyard, but I’m happy with the trampoline for now.
Tonya recently posted..Dealing With Crap
A trampoline sounds fun.