Swimming by Firelight

The family applied a little pressure last night, and convinced me to go swimming at 8:00 pm. I don't swim in the evenings. I'm doing good to lounge on my floaty for an hour in the afternoon. Lounging in the pool feels like a lazy thing, and "lazy" is uncomfortable to me. But I caved, and we went swimming.

Philip moved the little firepit into the yard from the patio, and built us a nice fire for marshmallow roasting.

The girls swam. I cleaned the pool with the skimmer. This makes me feel less lazy. Plus, I actually enjoy it: slow, mindless work :)

The boys did not swim, of course. Philip also moved our 4 tiki lamps and placed them around the pool. This lends a festive feel, and is pretty as the darkness comes on.

Sandy was crazy, with the girls in the pool. Oh, how she wanted in there! She ran and ran in circles around the pool, barked and jumped. She tried to climb the ladder!

Anna was cold. She shivered until she got out. The days are very warm now, but the evenings can still be cool.

Philip is a born organizer. But I think I also detect in his personality the gift of "helps" -- in other words, he's really great at helping other people, doing kind things for them. Men like this make wonderful deacons in the church. This part of his personality is coming out more and more.

Julia was the last one out, and she snuggled Sandy, and we all roasted marshmallows. Where is Peter? Well, he was probably inside, practicing on his tuba. I tell you, the boy has found his instrument. He practices tuba for a few hours each day. Just scales. He doesn't even have any tuba music yet, although yesterday he tried some hymn lines. He enjoys it, the challenge of it, the fun of it. If you've found your instrument, you know what I mean. If you haven't, well, that's sad. Because as Peter said, "I never knew it would be so much fun! I wish I'd done this years ago."