can't wait to get to the pool!

Two Saturdays ago, it was Memorial Day weekend.  I got up at 7:30 a.m.  I started to throw in some laundry.  Bob was up and already downstairs (his bed was unmade but empty) and I assumed SJ was watching television in the playroom (I could hear that it was on, since it is right next to the laundry room.) 

After I was done sorting the wash and started load number one of the day, I peeked into the playroom to see what SJ was watching.  He was watching some kind of cartoon, but the cartoon that I saw wasn't what made me laugh.  There was SJ sitting on the floor in his bathing suit.  Remember, it was 7:30 in the morning. 

"So, I guess you are excited to go to the pool?"  I asked him.  "When are we leaving, Mom?" he asked me.  "Not for at least 5 hours," I replied.  Our pool opens daily at noon, but honestly we never even leave our house until at least 12:30 p.m.

I went downstairs to make breakfast and I asked my husband if he saw SJ yet.  He said he had as a smile had appeared on his face.  SJ makes us both laugh at the silly things he does sometimes.  It would have never occurred to Bob to put on his suit that early.  Sure, he was excited to go to the pool too.  However, he knows that we never leave until after lunch time. 

We did eventually make it to the pool at 12:45.  It wasn't too crowded considering it was a billion degrees out (actually it was just 94 degrees).  SJ ran in to get our spot and informed me that he had already put on his sunscreen at home (he doesn't want to miss a second of pool time).  He was right in the pool.  He knows that at the beginning of each hour there is an adult swim. 

At 1:00 when the lifeguards blew their whistles for adult swim, SJ's pool routine began. 

· Get out of the pool

· Have a snack at the blanket

· Play in the baby pool or at the park

· At 13 minutes after the hour, go back to the deep end

· Dive in the pool when the lifeguards blow their whistles to end adult swim.

I watched this routine occur three times of this day (we had stayed until 4 p.m.).  I love taking the boys to the pool.  SJ is so happy when he is in the water.  A strange phenomenon happens after SJ swims.  He seems to be calmer.  It is a sensory calming activity for him.  When he is in the water, many of his PDD characteristics disappear.  He becomes more social and repeats less. 

Even when he joins Bob over at the park for Four Square time, he is beginning to blend in more with the typical kids.  It may be that he is maturing or it may be the water.  Whatever it is, we will continue to let the pool do its magic.  I am so glad summer is here!