The Polar Bear Dare

It's a widely known fact that A-Dog really has no feeling in his body when it comes to the water temperatures of bodies of water. I'm not saying he doesn't take HOT showers, cuz he does. I mean when it comes to a body or mass of water, he cannot help be magnetically attracted. Pool, beach, lake...all the same.


I remember one time (when he was an only child) we took a trip to Michigan. It's a long flight (2 different flights actually) then we still had to drive like 5 hours so we needed a break. We stopped at some random beach and were walking in the sand and he literally took off all his clothes (except his underwear I think, I hope...) and was in the water before we could stop him. The water was NOT warm. At All. 

A different day at the beach, with a swim suit. (ADog age 5.5)

So, last week, I double dog dared him to jump in the pool and swim across.  And with any good dare, it needed a reward.   So, for the love of his siblings and their love of ice cream...he jumped in, swam across and did it all for a trip to the Dairy Queen!

All because he loves us...

Sitting with our feet in the waterfall, hangin' at the pool!

Or, because he wanted ice cream.

Goin' Under.....

We put a pool in our backyard this year - put UP a pool I should say, but it sounds so...cheap. Well, I guess we are cheap, or practical, but mostly just cheap. Anyway, we put UP a pool this year in our backyard.

A-Dog and a friend making the most of the day!

I have to say, it is a bit of work since I don't have *pool guy* per say (my pool guy is a very busy guy and *pool guy* just adds to his many job titles and frequently shifts those duties to the bottom...). We are the ones in charge of maintaining the level of chemicals, water, salt (because we invested in the salt water generator instead of the regular chlorine method), bugs...etc. And then once a week we have to pool vacuum the bottom. I know this sounds ridiculous, but I actually enjoy the pool vacuum. I'm a freak that way. I like vacuuming the house too. Again, I know, I'm a freak. Plus, no one can be in the pool with me while I clean it...an obvious perk!

This pool is used probably 5 days a week if not more. Since I can walk out my back door and hop in (after removing some floating bugs) - it has been well worth it! I don't have to pack up 4 kids and their significant amount of needed items just to find out someone isn't interested in swimming that day. My kids like the water a certain temperature and off a degree or two can make or break the deal.

ANYWAY.

Agent P is was not a swimmer. He happily spent his time on the ladder, on the side or in the warmth of someone holding him in the pool. That is until...A-DOG! A-Dog taught him how to swim last week.

After school and homework they go out to the pool together. Each day, Agent P showed more and more progress. He started putting his face in. He started getting his hair wet. He started going under and holding his breath. He started swimming while holding the ladder. UNTIL this happened:

(I know it's hard to see (not really), but can you see the proud look on A-Dog's face?)

Agent P is by no means an Olympic swimmer, but finally finally FINALLY he moved past sitting on the ladder! Next step is coming up for air :-). He talks about swimming now ALL the time and can't wait to get in the pool each day.

Except today.

Today the water was 78 degrees. Like I said, temperature can break the deal. 82 is tolerable if the sun is out. 78 was a might chilly!