First, there are local pools everywhere. Seriously. Every little neighborhood has one. Our local pool is a mere 1.4 miles by car, 1.1 miles by bike. This will be important when all four of us can bike there easily (c'mon Ollie!). Our closest county pool, on the other hand, doesn't even have an outdoor pool, so um, no thanks. Plus, it's not an easy bike ride away.
Second, you have to join the pools. This is an issue because you can't just go without a member family taking you. We couldn't be just drop-in, unattended guests on those extra hot, extra muggy days (like pretty much every day in June so far). So we had to join.
Third, they are ridiculously expensive to join. In order to pay the fees, we had to save all year. I exaggerate a little; it's not that much, but to pay it all at once is something I'd rather avoid.
Fourth, usually swim team and swim lessons are included with your membership. If Rhett could actually swim, he'd be on their pre-team this summer. Ollie is still too little for swim team. However, they're both signed up for (and started earlier this week!) the free group swim lessons.
Fifth, there's a big social component to them. There are BBQs, movie nights, men's swim nights, women's swim nights, and that doesn't even cover all the swim team events. I have a feeling this will be a much bigger deal once both boys are on swim team.
Sixth, they will Change. Your. Life for the summer. For reals people. Remember how much I HATE Maryland summers? I'm pretty sure I've mentioned it before. But since the pool opened Memorial Day weekend, we've been there probably a dozen times. Even if just for an hour, we'll go. Why is it such a life-changer? Because it makes the heat and the humidity and the bugs bearable. To be wearing only a swimsuit, hanging out poolside or in the pool, life is good.
What I don't know about this pool-centered life.
First, do I have to wash my hair every time I get it wet in the pool? Because if so, UGH.
Second, do I have to wash our swimsuits and towels every time we swim? Because if so, UGH. But if just drying them in the dryer or on the shower rack works, YESSSS. (Remember, this is not Utah. Things do NOT dry outside in our water-laden air.)
Third, do I have to wear make up this summer? Because if I have to re-apply it every day after it gets washed away in the pool, UGH.
Fourth, how do I break into the pool's social scene? Our pool has tons of families, many of whom we see every day. But I'm shy in these situations (and I was super shy when wearing a soft, ugly, white neck collar), so I am just struggling. Do I even want to bother? Can I just be nice and smile? Or do I have to actually try to talk to them and learn their names and their kids' names?
Final Thoughts
Remember how last summer I had these enormous plans because I didn't know what to do with the boys all day? Yeah, no need this year. Here's what our schedule looks like this summer:
6:30 a.m.: Boys wake up, eat breakfast, do chores
9:00 a.m.: Do something like library visit, playground visit, hike
12:00 p.m.: Lunch
12:08 p.m.: Go to the pool
5:30 p.m.: Dinner
So easy, right? Something small in the morning and then during the hot, gross, despicably muggy afternoons, we're at the pool. The boys are happy, the adults are happy, the living is good. I think I'm gonna like it there.
Oh man, being a pool mom sounds amazing! We're not there yet with 4 non-swimmers and a postpartum body, but it sounds like a dream. We were going to do the August only option at our local pool, but it looks like they aren't offering it this year, which stinks big time! We start 2 weeks of swimming lessons on Monday though and plan to do another 2 week session in August so our kids will get some pool time this year. For now, we'll be blowing up the backyard pool and maybe, I'll even get in!
ReplyDeleteThis whole neighborhood pool thing is still just weird to me. I've never lived in a place that does it this way. And WHY is it so expensive? Because of all the activities they do? I just don't get it. And I hate that you can't do the drop-in thing.
ReplyDeleteYour summer schedule really does sound fabulous, though. I think there is an outdoor county pool in Wheaton that we will hit up once I get over my fear of taking three non-swimmers to the pool by myself. Until then, I will just be jealous of your new life as a pool mom. ;)
Sounds like the life of the semi-rich and famous! Poolside every afternoon! Love it!!! ~Natalie
ReplyDeleteOH MAN pools in MD ARE SO WACK!!!!!!!! Remember we actually had one in our complex....outside our door and it was awesome, but the hours were so odd and we had to sign in and these Swedish teen life guards would stare at you....the whole time...even if it's just you. haha. not really much to complain about to be honest, but it was strange to us coming from AZ and FL.
ReplyDeleteBUT THE other stuff you asked.....
washing your hair everytime? I don'tn know but I don't. Especially since I work out every other day and get so so nasty. I just wash it every few days or it would be so dry (AZ).
I could never figure out why all my suits always get stressed out, ruined after just one season. It was washing and drying them I just found out!!! So this summer I have not washed any of our suits in the machien even once. If you want to wash it, I'd say just do it in the sink and let it dry on the shower rack.
Make up? no way. Just wear sunglasses. That's what I do. And I keep mascara in my bag in case I have to go into the store. haha. but also I have super light eyelashes so you probably don't even have to do that. :)
I usually just talk to people who are the parents of the kids that my kids are playing with.
GOOD LUCK YOU WONDERFUL WOMAN!
Can't wait to see you!