A Sign?

Today I took the older kids and Cassidy to the pool where we met up with Lindsay Ann who had Emeline and Hailey at their lessons. Then Miriam and Cowen went to their lessons while Lindsay Ann, Hailey, Cassidy, Emeline, Eli, and I played in the pool. It is a small pool with a great toy for the little people. When the older kids were done with their lessons, I helped Cowen get dressed as he was not allowed to swim due to some tantrum issues we're having.

The water was cold, so when I got back in, I took Eli out to the slightly deeper part. Miriam can touch everywhere in the pool, so nowhere is "deep." It was warmer there, so I told Lindsay Ann that it was warmer and she brought all the rest of the kids out to where I was by the lazy river. In the center of the lazy river is a bubbly pool with a ledge around it for kids to play on and other people to sit on.

You know where this is going. Sigh. I took Emeline and Eli around the lazy river several times, then I told Miriam to get me a paddle board so I could more easily take Emeline and Eli around the river. Then Emeline said she wanted to stay on the ledge, so I left her to stand on the ledge while I took Eli around again.

That is when I heard the whistle and saw a lifeguard moving very fast and I started looking around to check on all my children.

And then I saw Emeline's red head. Under the water.

The lifeguard got to her before I could and yanked her out and asked her if she was okay. I was there right after him, and he relinquished her to me after checking to make sure she was really okay. Then I had to fill out a rescue form. Then Emeline told me she didn't want to swim anymore. Since Miriam was crying about bumping her head--I decided it was time to leave.

Miriam has almost drowned in that pool twice. I saved her once, and Lynnaea accidentally saved her the other time (Miriam grabbed onto Lynnaea, who was hanging onto the side, and pulled herself in--almost drowning Lynnaea in the process). This is the first time a lifeguard has had to save my child. I'm glad he was alert. I'm glad he didn't mind getting wet.

You're a hero, Chase.

PS--The first time Lindsay Ann and I went swimming together I pointed out Chase (the lifeguard who saved Emeline) and told Lindsay Ann it was sad we had no one to set him up with, because he was cute. Now I really wish I had someone to set him up with. He looks about 20. Anyone interested? He saves lives, people--which means he probably already has a girl.

PPS--I think I'm only going swimming if Megan goes with me from now on. Nobody drowns if Megan is around. I should know--I'm one of the several she's saved.

PPPS--Watching your child drown has to be one of the worst feelings in the world.