Pool Party!, a photo by here we wander on Flickr.
It's summer time ... and the living is easy.
Connor has always had a big personality. He's sociable and loves to be with other kids, and he's frequently invited to play dates and parties. Unfortunately, because much of our life is a divide and conquer approach given his brothers social limitations, he doesn't always get to go to everything.
Last night just happened to be one of those nights when the stars aligned. One of Connor's t-ball teammates was having a birthday party after their last game. And not just any party, but a pool party! Connor has been talking about it all week. Josh was off from work and didn't have other plans. He would stay home with the twins and put them (and himself) to bed early. I would talk Connor and enjoy some simple summer fun without the worry of having all three boys to watch.
The other thing I should mention about this particular party is it was a night party, from 8 to 10 p.m. after the regular pool hours had ended. It was going to be late, and Connor knew he was going to have to have a nap in order to go. He knew it, but he still struggled with it. He was in his room for more than two hours before he finally fell asleep, and that was only about an hour before it was time to get ready to go. So he had maybe an hour nap and then was a bear to wake back up at 7:30 last night.
But we finally got him up and dressed and moving. And he had the best time. He immediately found the slide pool, and stayed there with several of his baseball buddies (birthday boy included) until it was time for cake. After cake, he tested the kiddie area (less than two feet with lots of fountains). Next was the big pool. He jumped with some other kids for a while, but then wanted me to go with him to the really deep end. I had to jump in, too.
It was a fun night. Connor ran around and played. I could sit and talk to other parents without having to worry and watch every single move. It was rare, and fun.
Part of me wished we could do more stuff together as a whole family, but it would have ruined the night. The twins probably would have enjoyed a pool party like this one, with limited people and lots of freedom. But then we would have had to take turns watching the twins, and the area was open and uncontained. And no one would have enjoyed the night - not the twins constanlty being held back or us constantly having to do it.
So we do what we do - we divide and conquer. What we lack in overall family time, we try to make up for in individual time. Special moments, here and there, that we know each one will enjoy. Pool party wiht a friend, that's pretty high on Connor's list. And Connor and I had a good night.