It’s no secret that the best part of living in Southern California is the weather. Coming from Upstate New York and its sometimes-challenging climate (to say it delicately), you quickly observe how spoiled and used to year-round warmth and sunshine Angelenos have become. This is no more apparent than at the ever-empty neighborhood pool, which I vow to take full advantage of for as long as our family is here.
Growing up, the best summer days and evenings were spent at Drumlins. Owned by Syracuse University, Drumlins offered affordable pool access and a family-friendly environment. Our days were like clockwork: Dad went to office, while we packed lunches and spent the days swimming, often reuniting with Dad at the pool with a pizza or salad for dinner and one last dip. As a young parent myself, I can now understand just how great a routine this was for all – especially my parents. By the time we returned home at 7pm we were clean, fed, tired and excited to runback the same routine the next day.
When Khrista and I purchased our first home last year, our community pool was the selling point. Heated year-round, meticulously cleaned & maintained and hardly any use by the other neighbors. With Kate turning one year old next month, it can sometimes be difficult to find ways to entertain her, however the pool has been a Godsend in this area. Within five minutes of the pool decision, we have a wagon packed full of snacks, diaper bag, a stuffed animal or two, pool toys and are off on a scenic pathway walk roughly an eighth of a mile away. It’s during these walks that Khrista and I have the “pinch yourselves” moments of gratitude. Grateful and proud of our growing family and shared happiness/mindfulness of those exact moments of spending time together. I have an abundance of hopes and dreams for my daughter. Selfishly, one is that she never grows tired of these trips to the pool and thinks back at them as fondly as I do now.
