Pool Opening Day

The pool cover was taken off on Tuesday, but it takes a couple days to clean up the pool and for the chemicals to all settle, etc. Yesterday, after work, the pool was looking perfectly clean, and I checked the chemical levels and sure enough it was ready to go. I shouted to Kyle and Owen, "Let's go in the swimming pool guys!" Quick as a whip they were in the house to get their bathing suits on. Before getting back outside I warned them, "Our swimming pool is much, much colder right now than the swimming pools in Virgin Gorda! It is going to be very, very cold!" Kyle just nodded disinterested. Owen had a snappy response: "I will jump in it." "O.k.," I said, "let's go!" And out we went. [Note: as always, you can click on any of these photos to see them larger.]

Once we got out there Kyle was a bit hesitant.

He just looked at the water for a bit, contemplating it all...

Then Owen stuck his hands in to see how cold it actually was

(it was very, very cold)...

Of course, (of course of course of course), Kyle -- Fearless Kyle -- was the first to go in. He proudly walked right in. Then jumped in from the side a few times...

...freezing his little tush off, but loving every second of it nevertheless...

Finally, Owen took the plunge.

Rather than walk down the steps, he just dove right off the side...

And quickly realized how very, very cold it really, really was!...

Yay Owen! (I don't know who was more excited at Owen having jumped in-- Owen, or Kyle)...

"Mommy, it's cold but good!"...

Soon they gave up on actual swimming and both sat on the edge playing with the water. It continues to be so remarkable to me that in any space (no matter how open or vast), the two of them stick right together... always right next to each other, often with their bodies touching in some way, and usually playing the same exact thing...

The pool is open and the summer has officially begun!