Splishin' and a Splashin'

What a fun afternoon.
The girls and I went to the local community pool here in town and met up with some friends (Gracie, Miss Jennifer and Trent to be exact). I was hesitant to take the girls to the pool alone without another set of eye (i.e. CHAD!!!), but I put my big girl panties on and dared to be adventurous for the sake of the girls. Jennifer had reassured me that there was a kiddie pool. (Sure enough! And it was only 2 1/2 feet deep... PERFECTION!)
Granted, Lillian has HATED water lately. During her baths she will stand up and cry until she is done and out. Hannah is not a fan of having her face wet. She has to have a towel handy to wipe a tiny drop off as soon as it makes contact. Madison, well she has told me over and over how she wishes she was a mermaid and could swim like on "The Little Mermaid."
With all that in mind, I am one PROUD mama! Lillian LOVED the water. No matter how rowdy kids were around her, how cold the water felt when first getting in, she hung out splashing around in my arms, in the wadding area or in her little "taxi." Hannah wore arm floaties and walked all over the pool and even splashed water in her face intentionally! Hannah even braved jumping from the side of the pool insisting that I did not catch her. Yes, she jumped in by herself, went under, popped up and was laughing the entire time. Madison took to the water like she had been born to swim. She was jumping off the side of the pool, submerging herself on purpose for lengths of time that FREAKED me out. She loved it. The last hour we were there she even took the arm floaties off and braved the water with "naked arms."
Jennifer was an amazing help. We tagged teamed all the kids, we even got to jump off the diving board a few times each... we had to be like kids, too!!!
Gracie was so much fun. Madison loves to play with her and they were two peas in a pod in the water. Trent (her older brother) was off doing the "big boy stuff" most the time, but he played with the girls and was another great set of eyes and hands for me at times, too. What are we going to do without them in Ohio? Not even thinking of that right now.
It was hard having so much fun with the girls and Chad not around, yet it was forcing me to step out and trust that the girls will listen, be safe and have a great time. Little steps... right?!?