Gloria’s children enjoy their pool

Good morning from a quiet Yoder household. Soft breezes waft into the house, making it downright chilly. But who wants to close windows after all that heat the last weeks? I do enjoy summer sunshine, but it feels good to not worry so much about keeping the humidity down to keep things from molding. The dehumidifier helps tremendously with the mold issue we tend to have here in our area, then the AC units help to keep things more comfortable in the house.

This spring the children helped me move basic kitchen items and clothes downstairs where we spent most of our time this summer (that is, when the children weren’t in the swimming pool). We were all glad when the project of moving down was complete and we could unwind downstairs where it was easier to stay cool. Since we do laundry downstairs, it’s also been nice to have that on the same level. The concrete floor is easy to sweep and mop, and with canning season there’s easy cleanup to go with it. But then since upstairs is more cheery and brighter I’m eager to move back up before school starts.

An all time high-lite for the children this summer has been their goal of earning a swimming pool, then cooling off in it time and again. Swimming is not something I grew up with, I do enjoy being in the water.

So with Grandpa’s store being down the road from our house, the children suggested they might have a pool we could buy- a big one is what they really wanted. One day when I was by myself I checked out the options, Grandpa said there was one in the warehouse they would sell for less since there was a question whether or not it was complete. I debated good and hard, swimming, yes... safety… what does it look like? But then, I can’t teach my children to swim if they don’t have the opportunity to practice. After giving it some thought I told the children my plan. I would buy the 4 by 18 foot pool; there would be safety rules to follow, and they would have a goal to reach before it was filled with water.

It was a deal, everyone was on board.

Now I don’t know about your house, but seemingly around here hungry youngsters don’t naturally eat with manners, and who delights in doing dishes?

I placed two clear containers on the kitchen table, one was empty and the other had a bunch red Legos in it. When one of the children would use polite manners such patiently ask for a dish to be passed, a block would be placed into the empty container, the same was true when they would thank Julia or myself for lunch, or when they spoke kind words to a sibling. The blocks could also be placed back in the original container when words were spoken in a negative way, or sloppy manners were displayed

Meal cleanup was another way blocks were added to the swimming pool container. I never had to coordinate who washes the dishes, there was always a volunteer; anyone who would pitch in and work without being told what to do would get another the block, the same was true if they sang songs while working together.

Their favorite part was when I told them they could take a turn to put blocks in for the family. They would watch for their chance to fill the container as rapidly as possible in order to get the pool filled in record time.

The pool area needed to be leveled where we planned to place it, by the time that was done, the children had reached their goal and they were happy to watch the water inch it’s way up the pool. Many happy hours followed, they can all swim well above or under water beside Joshua who is learning to overcome his hesitation on trusting a life jacket.

One day when the children were swimming one of the girls from church stopped by with yogurt covered pretzels. She told us how she was on the way to the store and noticed the children in the pool and decided to stop by with a snack. How thoughtful indeed!

And when they are finished with their swim for the day they’ll run for the basement where they change into dry clothes. When everyone is finished we use our squeegee to scrape down the trail of water all the way from the bathroom to the basement door. The clothes are placed on the line to use the following day.

With this cooler snap we’re having the pool has been taking a break which gives the children time to place energies else where. Yesterday several of them were down in the woods making a picnic area where we hope to go eat supper tonight.

I know store boughten pretzels are not the same story as homemade, but Miss Wagler’s thoughtfulness in bring pretzels motivated me to share a pretzel recipe with you. Julia would like to help me make the sour dough version one of these times, so we’ll see.

I hear one of the children’s alarms beeping, so I’ll be getting back into the groove of being a mom and pray for you all as you go back to your day!

Super Soft Homemade Pretzels

4 cups flour

½ cup sugar

1 tablespoon yeast

1 ¼ teaspoon salt

1 cup milk

½ cup warm water

2 teaspoons butter

3 eggs

Pretzel Instructions

1. Mix 2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

2. Heat milk; add water and butter.

3. Mix in flour mixture.

4. Beat eggs.

5. Reserve ¼ cup for glaze.

6. Add rest of eggs and enough flour to form a soft dough.

7. Let rise one hour.

8. Punch down and shape into a short rope and make a pretzel (or whatever shapes you like).

9. Place pretzels a few inches apart on a greased cookie sheet.

10. Allow to rise another 30 minutes, then brush lightly with beaten egg, then sprinkle with pretzel salt. Save excess salt in the bottom of pretzel bags to sprinkle on top.

11. Bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes. Remove from oven, dip into melted butter. Serve hot, with cheese sauce. Yummy!