We had barely opened our eyes as our three-year-old son came running into our bedroom at 6.15am last Sunday, fully dressed in shorts, t-shirt, flip-flops and sunglasses, shouting, “Can we get the paddling pool out today?” My husband and I let out a simultaneous groan, with memories of last year’s battle upon us.
After another fifteen requests and now three completely over excited small children squeling, my husband drags himself off to the shed, known as the ‘black hole’ due to it being crammed full of everything that does not have an obvious home. This includes old pushchairs, a virtually unused baby walker, two lawnmowers, both new and old deckchairs now covered in cobwebs and numerous garden tools crying out to be used more regularly. Eventually he drags the great mound of PVC out and is delighted to find the pump nearby.
As if prompted by the sight of a paddling pool, the suns rays become brighter and hotter and with the nozzle pressed firmly in, my husband begins the gruelling task of pumping accompanied by three children all desperately eager to help. As usual, fifteen minutes later, the pool is still lying in a crumpled heap on the grass. My husband’s brow is dripping, but he battles on with round two. By this stage, he begins shouting at the pool, “Come on,” pumping furiously with no avail and I decide it is safer to head in the direction of the kitchen muttering something about cold drinks under my breath. An almighty roar erupts behind me and I turn to see my husband hurling the paddling pool across the hedge into the field beside our house. He then marches off leaving three stunned children behind him. I cannot hold back a smile, followed by a fit of giggles as I recall the pictures littered thoroughout the brochure of cheery families frolicking in their paddling pools and see ours lying in a ditch, with the pump sitting on top of the hedge.
After a cool drink, and a cold shower, my husband reappears, climbs over the hedge and hauls the pool back into the garden. After I read the instructions and tell him where he’s going wrong, he tries again. This time the sides calmly inflate and the yellow sunshine face on top pops up and smiles at us. Once full with cold water from the garden hose (all part of the overall experience), the children tear off their clothes and begin their frolic.
Within five minutes, the novelty has worn off and the children have marched inside to watch a DVD. Meanwhile, the paddling pool sits deserted on the lawn with not a child in sight.
