Paul, Laura and the girls came over for the Fourth of July weekend. We had a great time! We cooked steaks on the grill, went swimming, lit a few fireworks and enjoyed the girls immensely. Nana, Paul, Laura and the girls were all in the pool enjoying a well-deserved respite from the Atlanta July heat and humidity. I came to the pool a little later ready to join the swimmers. As I approached the edge of the pool in my swimsuit, Lilly spied me and said, “Papa…. Do you ever look in the mirror?” Confident that Lilly loves her Papa so much, I took this to mean that I was the embodiment of the ruggedly handsome Papa of which Lilly was so proud. Never mind that the last time I worked out was when I ate three Calzones while watching the Atlanta Marathon on TV in 2007, and that the last time I tried to tan in the sun was the Summer of 2006, and the last time I had a haircut was when I still had enough hair worth cutting.
Although the temperature was in the 90’s and the temperature of the water was about 84 degrees, I entered the water, as usual, very slowly. If the water temperature is less then 98.6 degrees, it is quite an ordeal for me to get into the pool. I seem to have an aversion to ‘cold’ water. I tip-toed slowly into the water, trying not to get too wet – all the time moaning as to how cold it was. Lilly finally exclaimed; “Papa… be a MAN!” I immediately dove under the water! I’ll have to remember to tutor Lilly in the proper use of verbs in a sentence (I think Paul lets Lilly spend too much time in the urban ghetto). I’m sure what she meant to say is; “Papa IS a man!” Again – in reference to my rugged handsomeness.
A couple of weeks later Paul and Laura again brought the girls over for the weekend. While Paul and Lilly were swimming together, Paul was amusing Lilly by swimming under the water like a shark. When he came up he squirted out a mouth-full of water. Alarmed by Daddy apparently swallowing pool water, Lilly queried, “Daddy, are you OK?” Paul assured her that he was OK, at which point Lilly replied, “Daddy, that’s disgusting. People PEE in that water.”
One of Lilly’s latest ‘Lilly-isms’ is: “Papa, you look like a turkey in the shower.” I’m not exactly sure what this means, but since Benjamin Franklin tried to get the turkey identified as the national bird, I believe it must mean that Lilly thinks I am the clean, spotless version of the all-American male. No wonder she loves her Papa so much!
We really have had a great time at Nana and Papa’s house these past few weekends. Lilly enjoyed pool time with Nana and I’ve never seen Katie so anxious to get in the water. Lilly is still a little hesitant around the water opposed to Katie who was trying to squirm out of my arms to reach the water. She really has taken to it the past few visits and I won’t be surprised if she’s swimming by the end of this summer. That is assuming we can make a few visits without mommy.
Paul-Just so you know, I will never let the kids out of my sight! They can take swim lessons from trained professionals who teach kids specifically! And not by people who just dunk kids in the water like you would do!!!
Tom- too many things to say and not enough room!
I don’t know what you’re so worried about. I could have the kids swimming like Michael Phelps in no time. I’ve seen them teach infants to turn on their back and swim to the side of the pool when they fall in. I’m sure I can teach Lilly to at least tread water and Katie to rescue her.
You two are so funny – it’s no wonder where Lilly gets most of her humor. It is amazing just how different Katie and Lilly are when it comes to the pool. Katie has no fear!!!! Lilly is a little more like her mommy and is more careful. I will gladly bring someone in next summer to teach these babies how to swim enough to at least help save themselves, if necessary. It is so fun to have them all here and we all spend time in the pool with our two little girls.
Lilly has recently added “You look like a rat in a tornado!” to her list of Lilly-isms.