Excitement Gets the Better of Us

The kids were so excited as they dressed in their swimsuits Monday morning. They were so excited as they tried to sit still and eat breakfast. They were so excited as they sat in their booster seats for forty minutes on the way to the pool. They were so excited as they sat in the bleachers waiting for swimming lessons to begin. They were so excited as they sat through the welcome speech given by the pool director every year on the first day of summer swimming lessons.

They were so excited as they waited in line to take the placement test. Rose stood facing forward, waiting to be called to jump into the water. The boys could stand the excitement no longer. Anticipation turned into a fist fight right there on the pool deck. As they punched each other, my jaw dropped. Parents are not allowed on the pool deck under any circumstances. I watched and waited for the instructors to notice. They were busy testing kids. But the parents noticed. I thought about saying, "who are those kids?" But, I didn't. I just watched. Eventually, three instructors dealt with my sons.

In their defense, the boys had no idea what I was talking about when I brought up the fighting after lessons were over.

"You don't remember punching each other?" I asked.

"Oh, that! We were just playing while we waited."

I believe them, but I wish they had played 'I Spy' or some other more socially appropriate game. Ahhh, boys.