I love the everything about the beach.
It’s where we had our family vacations each August. It’s the place I would spend afternoons with my mom. It’s where we’ve brought Little Mister to experience the beauty of living in New England in the summertime. It’s the place I would like to have a little cottage for my retirement years. It’s the place that comes to mind where I could go to relax and forget about life for a few hours: chair in the sand, cooler my my side, book in my hand.
Taking all of that into consideration, this past summer we joined a pool club!
Our motivating factor for joining was for Little Mister. Some of his friends were members, and we knew it would be a great way for him to see his friends regularly, take some additional swim lessons, and have a place to spend weekend afternoons.
And all of that happened. What we weren’t expecting was Mr. KK and I having possibly more fun at the pool club than Little Mister did. Backpack coolers and canned cocktails for the win!
First, the pool club couldn’t be more convenient. It’s situated two miles down the road and we can get there in four minutes (if we catch both lights). It’s a pool and tennis club, no frills, and has been around forever. So much so, that when I was growing up, I spent time at this very same club with my friends who were on the swim team. The place hasn’t changed a bit. The locker room still smells the same.
Second, we knew other families who were members, so at any given time, there was a chance we would see someone we knew, and Little Mister would have a friend to play with.
Last, spending the day at the pool on weekends forced me to slow down, and to stop over-booking our time. We’d get some things done in the morning, and then would spend the afternoon at the pool.
Little Mister joined the club swim team. (I make this sound like he asked to join the swim team, instead of me saying it would be a good idea and just signing him up). He did great for his first year, considering he was still learning some of the strokes while on the team during swim lessons.
We got to see friends! This was the driving factor for joining the pool club: guaranteed hangs all summer long. Some days just one or two families were there, other days, four families would commandeer a group of lounge chairs – one eye on the kids – and spend the afternoon enjoying sunshine and adult beverages. Those were the best days.
Now that the pool is closed, Mr. KK and I are going through a little bit of withdrawal. It was comforting to know we had a place to go at any time – even for an hour or two after work for a change of scenery – where we could relax. We got to see our friends on the daily, and now we’re having a bit of separation anxiety: school is in full swing, sports and commitments have taken over calendars, and it takes quite a bit of work and planning to find time to get together.
I am mourning summer. Even though I was washing towels and bathing suits every day. Even though we spent a small fortune on goggles, the chlorine eating away at the straps until they snapped. And even though packing and unpacking that pool bag was the bain of my existence, I’d take it all back in a heartbeat if it meant a lazy afternoon by the pool, hanging with friends and not thinking about school lunches.
Life of kk 