This has been a busy, but fun week. Wednesday morning we went to see Dreamer at the Summer Movie Club. Then we ran a few errands before heading to the Lynchburg Community pool at Miller Park. This pool is an Olympic size swimming pool. Off of one end there is a 'spur' that is 3 foot deep and roped off for the little ones. Then off the other end there is another 'spur' with a low dive and a high dive. And then in the four foot deep area there is a curvy water slide. They open from 12-6, M-F and it is 2.00 for adults and 1.50 for children, or you can get summer passes. 

They have 6 lifeguards watching over the pool at all times. The crowd of children is great and there is plenty of room. It is a great place to spend an afternoon.

Last year, Jungle Princess was too small to use the slide and not a good enough swimmer. Well this year, she was a little taller and a better swimmer and really enjoyed the water slide. After we had been there a little while Game Master came over and asked if he could jump off the high dive. I told him sure. And then I watched as over the next couple of hours he attempted to get up his courage to do this.

First he went up the ladder partway and then backed down. Then he went up a little further and came back. He would walk around, shake his head, jump off the low dive and then attempt the high dive again. He finally got up on the board, but would only go about half way out. I have to say the other kids were kind. A couple of the teenagers I noticed rolling their eyes, but for the most part the kids were encouraging and giving great advice. Now if my husband had been there, this would not have taken as long. My husband loves the high dive and with an example Jack would have probably jumped in my quicker.

So after a while, Jungle Princess asked if she could jump off the low dive. So I went and sat next to the side of the pool. She did this several times with great delight. Meanwhile Game Master was still trying to tackle the high dive. Finally I screwed up my own courage and decided to tackle the high dive myself. I have done this once or twice over the years, but was not thrilled with the experience. So I just got up there and kept telling myself that it was important to do this for my son...I didn't give myself time to think about it, just went to the edge and jumped in!

Lo and behold, it was fun! So after  Game Master saw me, his almost 40 year old mother do this and live to tell the tale, he climbed up the high board. He stood at the edge, while all around the lifeguard, other children, Jungle Princess and I were cheering him on. He stuck his foot out and jumped. I was thrilled and thrilled to be there!  After that he did it again and again and so did I . He and I encouraged another little girl to jump off the high dive too. 

Of course, Jungle Princess, not to be outdone asked if she could jump off the high dive. Now, I am a protective mom and my first inclination was to say no, but I also try to fight that urge because I don't want my kids growing up scared of things (to this end I have handled insects that a few years ago I would have stomped on or sprayed or destroyed in some way...screaming all the time and I have jumped off the high dive).  So I told her yes.  So up she went and out to the edge and looked over, then down the ladder she came saying 'that's pretty high.' She jumped off the low dive again and then went back to the high dive and took the plunge.

I am thrilled and blessed that I was able to be there. So many of those kids were there without their parents  and their parents were missing out on their triumphs. I am also glad that my kids encourage me to 'stretch' myself and that I have the flexibility to do it.

We can't wait to go back!