Saturday, September 6, 2008

Endless Summer




In case you couldn't tell from the picture, we've installed a pool in our backyard complete with a 2' 6" lifeguard. The pool was a father's day gift to me and we finally busted it out this past weekend to get Benjamin crankin' on his training to shatter Michael Phelps medal record in the 2024 summer games in Baghdad (the place will look totally different by then, right?).

We of course take 25 minutes to prepare the water so it is the right temperature and slather him in baby sunscreen that was so thick you could have iced a cake. We get him in his trunks, put his hat on, bless the water, call the Coast Guard, etc. I'm sure the kid is thinking, "Uh, can you just dunk me in already!?"

It's always funny to me when you see a baby react to something that is so second nature to adults, like sitting in water, and how they spaz out in a good way. Benjamin had a fun time in the water and we had fun looking at him splish-splash and make wild noises. But you can't turn your back on a baby. You could stare at them for 30 minutes and they'll stay completely upright. Turn away to sneeze and they will have some how fallen over, pulled a towel on top of them, deflated the pool and step in an ant pile.

I embellish, but he did tip over once and was like a turtle flipped on its back. I think it's God's way of making sure you don't get too cocky, "Oh, think you got everything under control Hasselhoff? Watch this - ZAP!"

Seeing a baby in swim wear it hit me that a baby's physique has a lot in common with men's physiques when they're over the hill - little pasty, plenty of rolls and a wrinkly butt. Their taste in clothes are the same too - bizarre color combos, overuse of hats and pants that don't fit right. The difference is that all of these things are cute on a baby. Men, not so much.

The pool was a success. It will probably be the only time it will be used because of the impending changing of the seasons and Benjamin's growth chart. And by next summer Benjamin will be concentrating on streamlining his Breaststroke for the 800M medley. Go for the gold son and eat your Wheaties®!

2 comments:

Unknown said...

That "pool shock" image is hilarious beyond belief.

Anonymous said...

I love it! Reminds me of the time you tipped over into the Samila Hotel pool in Songkla and just sat on the bottom until we got to you, eyes open and holding your breath. I guess you were a little older than Benjamin.