Yesterday I went to the pool for the second time this summer. Yes, that explains my rather marshmallow-colored skin tone. It’s a bit challenging to go to a pool with three kids who can’t swim. Since my neighbor was kind enough (maybe I should say brave enough) to invite us over, I decided to take the challenge.

There’s a lot of prep time involved in getting three children ready for a pool outing. Sunscreen application is a project in and of itself. It’s no wonder I’m always getting sunburns now. By the time I get everyone else lathered up, I forget to put my sunscreen on.

Since I have two fair-skinned blondes and a redhead, they have to be covered from head to toe in sunblock. Thank goodness for spray on sunscreen. Whoever invented this stuff deserves a special spot in heaven because it’s so much easier and less time consuming to apply. Yes, I still have to chase my children down to apply it, but now I can run and spray at the same time.

After the sunscreen, I put the kids in their overpriced safety floats with that silly seal on the front. I don’t know why I bought these floats. There are so many straps, and one of the straps even buckles between their legs making it impossible for them to go the potty without my assistance. Of course, as soon as I them strapped in, Eli had to go potty.

Next time I’ll by good, old fashioned swimmies. Sure, they practically tear off the skin on your child’s arm upon removal, but they are so much easier for parents.

Once the kids were in swimsuits, I realized that about 40 minutes had passed since my neighbor had invited us over. I quickly put on my swimsuit at top speed. Then I scooped up a bag with some necessities and strapped Siler in the stroller so we could walk over to my neighbor’s house.

As I stepped into the pool, I suddenly realize that something was not quite right about my swimsuit. In my hurried state to get dressed and out the door, I had put the bottoms of my bathing suit on backwards. I was so embarrassed that I could feel a wave of heat coming over my face, and I can assure you it had nothing to do with the temperature outside.

What could I do? I had three children anxiously waiting to get into the pool. It wouldn’t be easy to get them home without creating a huge scene. I decided the meltdown potential was too big. I tossed a towel by the pool steps and hopped in the water.

I prayed my neighbor wouldn’t notice. If she did, she was kind enough to spare me further embarrassment and not mention it. I’m sure she thinks I’m a ditzy blonde by now anyway. Having twins and a baby so close in age should give me a pass for being crazy from time to time. That’s what I tell myself anyway.

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