Summer. One word that can strike up so many wonderful childhood memories of the beach, summer vacations and long days spent at the local pool. We, as parents, owe that much to our children, at the very least. To guarantee that they have just as many wonderful memories of summer as we have.

We are homeschoolers, so our summer really doesn't have a definate start, or end, not by summer break standards anyway. The start of our summer really begins when we put up our pool, and ends when it comes down.

This past Sunday, we decided to put up our pool. You know the type, the small ones with the top ring full of air, and you fill it with water. Ours is 3 feet deep,not much, but it certainly is more than enough to keep my boys happy and cool all summer long.

My husband helped with making sure the ground was level, and then it was my turn to bring out the pool, fill the ring, and start filling it up with water. Well I always leave the cap for the drain hole on the waterhose wheel. Well guess what? My husband tossed it out sometime between the time we took the pool down, and Sunday. Why? Who knows, I suppose he thought it was trash. I realize that I should have put it back on the drain, but hindsight is .. you know the saying. So here we are, two boys staring at us with great disappointment in their eyes. So I found a cap that ALMOST fit. (keep that word in mind)

Well, on Monday, we realized that it just wasn't going to stay, and my neighbor helped us .. um... what's the political correct term?.. um.. oh, ok. we rigged it to work, with um... ducktape. Problem solved!

Tuesday, the boys and I headed over to Walmart to get a few filters for the pump, and to run a couple more errands. In total we were gone an hour and a half. On our way home we talked about getting in the pool and how we were going to search for squid. Upon pulling the truck into the back of the drive, we exit the vehicle, and I saw the most unbelieveable sight. The pool was almost empty! The duck tape rigged drain plug had blown, and our little pool had almost completely drained in a mere hour and a half. My stomach sank. I was more disappointed than the boys were.

I finally found a cap that fit perfectly, and the problem has been solved, for good this time. While we were waiting for the pool to refill, (thank goodness for well water) we decided to play in the pool anyway. It was the perfect depth for the baby to play in, and he really enjoyed it.

SO when Murphy's Law and life gives you lemons... make a great lemon cake, and make sure you have your camera close by to record those memories.