Swimming

Our across the street neighbors have a pool.  They put it in last year and got good use out of it.  This year, in an effort to keep their teenage children home rather than away, they had a mountain built alongside the pool, with water slide, waterfall, cave, a tree with a rope swing attached, and a fire pit.  It was a massive undertaking which we watched move along almost from beginning to end.  There was lots of rebar and chicken wire and then lots and lots of concrete.  Brandt would ask about every other day if we could go over and see how the Cutler's pool was doing.  

When it was finally finished, we got to swim.  And slide.  And jump.  And a few weeks ago, when we were swimming with the Tanners, the kids really jumped, from the launching platform which is probably six feet up.    I was surprised when Brandt said he wanted to jump, and even more surprised when Blythe climbed up too. Both of the children jumped off.  

 

Brandt went with off with me.

Then Heidi (who was extremely reluctant), Blythe, and I were going to jump together.

Heidi let us go and stayed on top.

 

Then Brandt jumped all by himself.

Blythe and I jumped together again.

The Tanners were all going to jump together, at the same time, while I documented the event.

As you can see, Heidi was still exceptionally reluctant and let the boys go.

Well, Simon and Darren went while Jack tried to get Heidi to jump.

Darren went back up and pushed Heidi off.

She wouldn't go a second time.

Here I am with the kids again.

The jump is high enough it takes my breath away.

And jumping off the rock with the rock swing.

Brandt usually just holds the rope and jumps, not really swinging.

We are certainly pleased to have such a fun pool right in our very own cul-de-sac,

and to have such nice neighbors who let us swim pretty much whenever we want.

Oh! Oh! Oh!

I just found some more pictures of swimming at the Cutler's.

Just a few more.

Brandt is laughing in glee as he just pushed Simon into the water.

Brandt, Jack, and Simon are sitting on the waterfall.

Brandt is shaking his bum at me.

And here he is leaping off without his life jacket,

although he did jump with a large noodle.

Brandt's fingers (I think) after swimming and swimming.

 

A self-portrait by Blythe.