Not All Pool Experiences Are Created Equal

Roll out of bed whenever you feel like it.  Tumble down the stairs to the pool.  Drift of to sleep  as the floaty rocks in time to the gurgle of the water fountain.   Get a perfectly even tan.  Have a drink, or several, as your friends arrive home from work.  Climb the stairs at the end of the day, fall into bed.  Repeat.  All.  Summer. Long.

Pack lunches, including plenty of goldfish.  Remember sippy cups.  Put on 4 swimming suits, including plenty of sunscreen.  Grab 3 towels and a swim nappy.  Load everyone in the van 'swagger wagon.'  Pile on the bags and push stroller like a pack mule.  Pay to get into the pool.  Reapply sunscreen to fair skinned boys.  Feed said lunches.  Nurse.  Get in the water with 3 kids of my own, plus a few others who seem to want to tag along.  Get out and feed kids rest of lunch.  Take girl to potty.  Nurse again.  Swim again, with 3 kids hanging on you.  Get out and take 5 minutes to warm up and get some coveted, precious sun rays, whilst making sure the end of the chair is in the shade so baby doesn't get too much exposure.  Buy ice cream.  Repeat unloading process, but backwards as we go home.

I came to the realization today that pool time isn't what it used to be.