My 6 year old granddaughter, Katherine, spent much of our recent vacation in her new pool. It is only about 30 inches deep and 10 feet across but a welcomed prop for our steamy week. We were at our woodland camp, so the Summer Olympics were watched by generator power as recaps on the morning news.
She played alone most of the time during our one week stay but the Olympic theme saved those days. Katherine was an Olympian and I played the role of her diving coach. Her imaginary friends, Zabby and Alodda, made a surprise appearance out of retirement (from Hampton Beach) and participated too. (See my Zabby Eight Update category for more adventures.)
Katherine would stand a little more than waist deep in the pool. I graded her leaps and dives according to the least splash and best form. Zabby and Alodda would try to keep up but Katherine seemed to have the most natural ability. I was really impressed by her progress. She learned to keep her feet together and managed to have her fingertips, top of her head and body enter the water in that order. If she did not leap high enough a belly flop would disqualify her.
This weekend she is going to her other grandparents’ place where there is a much deeper pool. I’m excited to find out how she uses her new skills.The 2012 Summer Olympics were well timed indeed and I’m sure she’ll never forget them. Wonder if Zabby and Alodda will be traveling with her?
Sillyfrog's Blog 
sounds like it was a lot of fun……
Grandma has enough wrinkles…being in the pool all day would not have helped. HA! Yes, it was fun!
🙂
Clearly these are great memories to carry…
Shakti
I wouldn’t have written a journal for her but blogging has given me the tools to save those memories. Thank-you friend.
I wish Katherine high grades for her leaps and dives 🙂
What a lovely combination of playing, sports, fun and Olympic ‘news’.
Thank you Paula. We had fun and I didn’t feel the need to be in the pool as often AND she found the Olympics for the first time…I call that a win /win/win scenario. 🙂
Katherine is very lucky that you have explored with her so many interests that do not depend on money or privilege -you’ve allowed her to see the wonder of life and to delight in what is available close at hand.
So well put that it made me shiver…Thanks Mom!
What a cute, wonderful story. Love the shot too. Thanks for sharing 🙂