If you were like me and started watching Saturday Night Live when you were like, 11, even though it was totally age-inappropriate, but your cool older brothers grandfathered you in, you might remember a character played by Dana Carvey called “Grumpy Old Man”. Grumpy Old Man would complain about new-fangled technology and how times have changed and say things like, “In my day, we didn’t have hair dryers! If you wanted to dry your hair you stood outside in a hurricane! And we LIKED IT!”
I’m feeling a bit like Grumpy Old Man these days.
The pool I have had a pass to the past two years went and CHANGED itself. Did major renovations and now it’s like a mini-waterpark. We went for the first time yesterday and it was ridiculous. Joshua, at seven, is too big for the little kids area. They don’t LET YOU IN unless you are six or under. Umm…ok, I have a baby and a four-year-old, which child should I leave unchaperoned? The seven-year-old or the four-year-old? (Thanks to a BabyEtte water wrap I had Jonah strapped to me.)
To make matters worse, the place was PACKED. And we went after 2:30, when in the old days the place would have started to get un-crowded. No such luck.
The area with the kiddie slides, which Sophie actually loves, was crazy packed and giving me an anxiety attack. And of course, since there is a big bucket of water that dumps on the place every 60 seconds, Joshua won’t go NEAR it. So they four-year-old loves it and the seven-year-old hates it. The seven-year-old would be perfectly happy to be in the little kids area with the four-year-old (she also loved the little kids area) but he’s not allowed. And, trying to keep them both in my line of sight with 50 BAJILLION kids all over the structure? Anxiety attack city.
I’m pretty pissed. I pretty much want my $200 + that I paid for my pool pass BACK.
And I want my old pool back.
In my day, we had a baby pool and a big pool…we didn’t have no new-fangled water park with a splash pad and a giant bucket of water and a twisty slide….just a baby pool and a big pool…AND WE LIKED IT!!
(Oh, and here’s a fun you tube video of Grumpy Old Man. Watch it! I couldn’t get it to embed.)
Lie about his age, I’ve doing it about mine for years!!
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This post was BEGGING for a Duggar comment.
I agree, “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!” I prefer a manageable relaxed pool to a crazed mini water park any day
Hilariously a bummer! I had totally forgot about Grumpy Old Man – Loved him…
Love the Grump Old man “We liked it! We loved it!” And I hate when they change things that work.
I hadn’t talked to Mrs. Duggar this morning when I read Jen’s post. But, she said, “…Take enough kids with you, and the rest will get the heck outta the pool…afterall, it’s bath day!!”
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That sucks and would totally have me beyond aggravated too. Honestly, I would just take the seven year old in the smaller kid section with you. If anyone in charge of the place asks or makes a comment you can give them a piece of your mind!
That stinks! I have a quick question for you- or anyone who would care to help give some advice!! I have a newborn son who is just 4 weeks old and a 3 1/2 year old daughter. She loves going to the pool, but I am nervous about taking her AND him. What can I do with him so that he’s not sweating to death in a car seat/stroller and that will allow me to get in the pool with my daughter if I need to?? Freaking out a little about this whole 2 kid thing!! I don’t want to lock her indoors all summer because it’s easier, but am not sure what to do with my little guy either. Also, can chlorine hurt my son since I’m nursing? Do you think it’s okay to nurse him if I was just in the pool? Suggestions?!?!?! Pleeeeease!! 🙂
My two little ones are almost 14 months apart. When my second one was an infant, I was just lay him in his stroller with a light blanket covering the stroller to keep the sun out & to keep others from constantly wanting to touch him. You could also try one of those small clip on fans to hook onto the stoller to keep him from getting overheated.
I don’t think the chlorine can hurt your son when you’re nursing him. Maybe someone else has a better answer to that.
Good luck – don’t get yourself to worked up about it – it’ll all be fine!
Heather, I got a water wrap from BabyEtte to wear Jonah in. It is AWESOME. It’s made of mesh so it keeps them cool and dries quickly. Jonah is loving it. BabyEtte also has water slings if you prefer a sling. I cannot recommend it enough, it is working out great for me even in the crrraaaziness.
Nursing him is going fine, I just cover up with the water wrap, again it keeps him cool instead of overheating him. I hope the chlorine doesn’t hurt him cause he is definitely getting some, but I bet the amount is negligible. All in all, having a baby at the pool is easier than I thought it would be, thanks to this wrap.
Sounds like we have a pass to the same ‘pool.’ I would totally let your oldest hang in the kiddie pool section, I mean really, c’mon! I think it’s been so crowded, in part because the other larger pool isn’t open yet. Hopefully it gets better — much, much better!!!
OH.MY.COW.
If someone had the nerve to tell me that my child couldn’t come into the area because he’s 7 and you have to be 6 I would be having a word with management! I understand there are rules, I get it, some other 7 yr. old most likely has ruined it…but give me a break..you have 3 kids!!! I would be pretty steamed and I would say something, what are they going to do, check his ID at the gate?! Just sayin’!
I would totally ask for my money back! There have to be other pools that would be less crowded and allow your kids to play together! Also, have you ever been to the Centerville splash pad? It’s free! I’ve never been there, but some of my MOMS club friends have been talking about it. Might be worth checking out…
I am totally with you. I loved Grumpy Old Man!
I’m known as the crotchedy old lady at our own private pool even. I actually told our nephews and my own husband that the pool was not just for “fun” people. If the person who cleans it, and maintains it – which is a lot of work – can’t relax in it, then I’ll just let it go green. Ha! They weren’t impressed.
Hee! A friend forwarded me this on FB–because I posted a status about hating the new “improved” pool 🙂 I saw you there yesterday and remember because I was admiring your wrap. I had my son in a sling while chasing my older two. Luckily, my oldest is 5, so no splitting them up.
I’m so disappointed in the new pool and totally want my money back so I can join some rinky dink swim club with a baby pool and a big pool and that’s it. I miss the old pool!
There–you are not alone!
Mackenzie, solidarity sister! Give us back a rinky-dink pool! Next time you see me (you know, if we are both brave enough to go back), say hi!
Thanks for the advice ladies!!! Going to see how it goes this week!