YOU JUST CAN'T THINK OF EVERYTHING...
We are first time pool owners. Okay, maybe it's not the fanciest. But it does the job. Think baby pool on steroids.
To be precise, we purchased an Intex 18ft X 48in Easy Set Pool. Comes with filter pump, ladder, ground cloth and pool cover. Our investment: $298.00. Our Return: Priceless.
Eden is thrilled. She can and does spend hours in the water. We had her checked for gills once, but the doctors assured us she was definitely equipped with lungs.
Since we blew up the pool and poured a small fortune of water into it, Eden has spent countless hours swimming by herself, with friends, and me. All good.
Until that night.
Eden had two of her best friends swimming with her one evening. It was getting late and I needed to get a run in and can only do it when the sun goes down. Enough said there, right.
Since the pool is barely four feet deep and the girls all 13-years of age and capable of splashing around with out me, I decided to go for my run.
But I imposed conditions. Rules. Laws. Non-negotionable policies. Many of them.
No one else in the pool until I come home.
No horseplay.
No jumping off the ladder.
No sitting on the ladder.
No swinging on the ladder.
Do not touch the ladder.
No diving.
No sharp objects in the pool.
No sharp objects outside the pool.
No running.
No excessive jumping.
No dunking.
No touching the pool cover.
No messing with the pump.
No food in the pool.
No drink in the pool.
No food outside the pool.
No drink outside the pool.
Whew! I think I covered everything.
I. Did. Not.
I returned home from my run and stepped outside on the deck to observe the girls in their idyllic play. Everything seemed find. The evening was warm. It was a good night for a swim. I told the younger neighborhood kids they could jump in. They did and the party really got under way.
But. Then.
I noticed the pool water appeared to be a bit cloudy. "Rats," I thought. "I am going to have to check the pool levels and adjust."
I went downstairs and out the back to the pool. There it was. Sitting innocently on a chair next to the pool. A big blue bottle. Jeweled colored. A value-sized bottle. Bubble bath.
I snatched up the bottle and turned to Eden. "Did you guys put bubble bath in the pool!" I asked in a horrified voice.
"Just a little," came the reply.
"WHAT!" Of all the things, I never thought to include in the pool rules, NO BUBBLE BATH!
"Why did you do that!" I exclaimed.
"We wanted bubbles," came the soft reply.
Who would have guessed with pools rings, diving toys, mattresses, and assorted blow-up toys, they also needed bubble bath. I was not a happy camper.
So I informed the group. "I am sorry but you guys are going to have to clear the pool because Eden put bubble bath in it and I need to try and fix it." I was thinking a chemical fix.
The kids slowly emerged from the pool. One kid asked me in a strangled voice if he was going to be okay because he had opened his eyes under water. I said, "Sure, this is just bubble bath...you put in your tub. It's fine." Not convinced he also told me he might have drank some pool water. Again, I reassured him. "You will be fine." Looking completely unconvinced he wandered off into the night. Probably to write his last will and testament.
Just to be sure everyone was on the same page, I texted the neighbors to let them know two things. 1. Their kids were great. Had nothing to do with it.
2. It was bubble bath!
Fortunately the pool cleared up. Eden promises never to dump bubble bath or any bath products in the pool. And no child suffered from an overdose of bubbles.
I also have a giant sign on the pool that says, "NO BUBBLE BATH IN POOL!"
Just to be sure.
Carolyn
