backyard swimming pool antics

Tennyson stands on the edge of the picnic table and waits. Mitchie gives a little push, Tennyson jumps in. Mitchie squeals with delight. They do this over and over.


Tennyson is such a good big brother sometimes.


Jordan sits on the edge of the table, her knees pulled up under her chin, her arms wrapped around her legs. She's chattering away with Tennyson, who's splashing around in the pool. Mitchie is standing behind her. He gives her a gentle little push in the small of her back. She sways slightly, otherwise she doesn't seem to notice, and keeps on talking, animated and excited. Mitchell rethinks, and gives her another push, higher up, by her shoulder blades. He grins, expecting that he's pushed her into the pool. Again, she sways a little under his push, but doesn't really seem to notice, immune to the constant presence and jostle of siblings.

He gives the back of her head a shove. Nothing. I watch silently, expecting her to turn around and scold or shove him, but she doesn't. Mitchie's stumped. He continues to give her little pushes up and down her back until the lure of the cool water on a hot day wins out and she jumps back in, all the while oblivious to Mitchell's mischief.

Mitchell puts his hands on the table to crawl off backwards. Tennyson jumps up beside him, and unable to resist the little diapered bum pointing up at him he grabs Mitchell by his little hips and heaves him into the pool.

Tennyson is such an advantageous big brother sometimes.