To Play or Not to Play

I figure it takes me on average about 15 minutes per little one to get them ready to go outside and play. Now, this is when we are playing in the pool. If you factor in the time it takes to put on a swim diaper and then trunks, and let's not forget the sunblock. Sunblock takes so long because I have very pasty children. They are so light skinned that they instantly burn when they are let loose in the sun. So sun safety in very important. Then, getting them downstairs with everything we may need while we are out is another task. I still pack a diaper bag just to go out in the back yard! This is so I don't have to leave them unattended or keep having their sisters run back and forth. Now, we can sit and enjoy a little sun and watch the kiddos act crazy in the water! Not so fast! They are more interested in the huge umbrella and everything else that is going on. Instead of cooling off in the pool, they would rather climb on whatever they can find and throw all the things out of the bag I brought with me. I am just beginning to wonder why they clamour to get out the door just to bang on it to get back in?? There are a few moments of playing in the pool, but they are usually followed with the boys wanting sit in my lap and watch their sisters play. This always leaves mom with really wet pants. Perhaps they are just being thoughtful...thinking that I was hot and needed to be cooled down!