Shocking! Shameful! Me at the splash pool!

This summer I took my girls to a toddler splash pool, which was daring of me frankly. We rarely go anywhere. But it was summer, and hey, it was worth a shot. With one walking around the shore trying to break into other people's treat bags and the other adventurously leaping to her possible death in 2 feet of water, I kept busy. The other mothers kept looking over at me. At first I thought it was the natural "that poor lady has twins" gaze that I've gotten used to. But there was more staring than normal. And it seemed somewhat annoyed. Were my girls exceeding the allowed toddler rambunctiousness?

Finally I said to the nearest mother, "Please let me know if my girls are bothering your kids."

She said, "Oh no they're fine."

A beat.

"So, did you make that yourself?"

Make what?

This is how slow I am. It never even occurred to me that they were all staring because I was wearing this:

-minus the husband.

Going to the splash pool had been a last minute decision, and frankly, I hadn't had time to shave. So I was like, hey I'll wear that swimming costume with bloomers I don't get enough use out of. It was cute and also conveniently cover-upper-y. I put it on and didn't think about it again, which seems odd, I know. I guess my whole mind was occupied with toddler twins.

I looked back on the stares, the concern, the apprehension and annoyance from the moms, and finally realized they were simply reacting to my outfit. They didn't know what to make of me. I was wearing an odd costume to a splash pool! Without showing any shame! Or at least breaking out into the Charleston. Was I a lunatic? An attention freak? A sister wife?

The truth was so much simpler. I was a frazzled mother of twins that hadn't had time to shave.

Comments

[Ktcluff]

Lol your awesome!

[Maren]

I don't see what's wrong with it. I wish more people wore "cover-upper-y" things to the pool.

[Taiger]

You look nautical, people have blinders on in life.

[Kristin]

You look awesome! I guess people are so used to immodesty that they don't know what to think when people dress otherwise.

[Amelia Loken]

I love it! So cute! Would Punzie wear that? I imagine her in something similar. Love the photo of you and husband...so very retro!

[Allerednic]

I totally want one of those! I think we should all dress like that to go swimming (or to take toddlers to a toddler pool. . .)

[Raechel]

Polygamist sighting!

[Amanda]

I love it, we should all get one, and where it where ever there us water.

[Christy]

Oh that just made my day! What I don't get though is how they didn't recognize the world famous author Shannon Hale. Your cameo appearances are wasted on the wrong people. You should come where your sweet bloomers are appreciated...here in Nashville we'd appreciate you! LOL!

[Alysa (Ruby Diamond)]

hahaha! Love it!

[Frogster]

I think your outfit is cute! And I agree with Maren, I wish more people wore cover-ups at the pool!

[Meredith]

So...Did you make it yourself?

[Jenna St. Hilaire]

But such a cute costume! I'd have been staring out of envy. If I enter public in an ordinary bathing suit (and do not immediately immerse in several feet of water), my inner twelve-year-old believes she's in her underwear and feels duly mortified. No matter how much I try to convince her otherwise, and no matter how recently I've shaved.

Also, that picture of you and your husband is hilarious and wonderful. :)

[Louisiana Kid]

I own a pair of bloomers like that! I wear them in public regularly! :D No shame!

[Kathryn Purdie]

Oh. My. Gosh. I totally want that swimsuit getup! I would wear it with pride. I'd rather see an awesome author in costume than everything hanging out of everyone else's teeny-weeny bikinis any day. ;-)

[Guin]

You left out stylish! Now if you'd worn a Jayne hat along with it you'd be in iffy territory, sure.

[Dr. Sallie N. Cheinsteen]

I love it. Super cute. And maybe I'm slow, but I didn't even realize they were bloomers. I just thought "Cute capris! I like the top, too!" You should wear that outfit everywhere, and make a documentary of how people react. :)

[Rin-Isilee]

Sister wife! That made me laugh out loud.

[Angela]

Aw, I love it. I'd wear that to the pool or the beach. In fact, if that was my swimwear, I'd go much more often. Nothing like modern day swimsuits to make me feel like I'm walking around in my underwear.

[Amanda]

ADORABLE! I didn't see their looks, but based on your fabulous vintage outfit, I think their thoughts were more like, "Wow, she looks so classy & stylish... I wish I had something so cute!" At least, that's what I would have thought/said. I LOVE vintage! (just cue my 1940's engagement pics/wedding, etc, etc) ;)

[marissa]

oh my gosh this is hysterical!

[Debbie]

When people are surprised to see you in that instead of a alarmingly showy bathing suit, you know there 's a problem. You should go back next summer and count how many people are wearing that exact same thing! You 'll be a huge trend setter!

[Meg]

"that poor lady has twins gaze!" hah! My twins are kids number 4 & 5, and I know that look oh so well. I can't believe you were brave enough to go to the pool. My mom has a pool and I don't go-the amount of work required is overwhelming! Also, since my twins were born I shave once a week for church; ergo, I wear jeans all summer long.
Huzzah for hairy ladies!

[Melanie@Forteachersonly]

Spending some quality time with your children is very important, especially when you are more free to do so. We must not let our children grow up without seeing them grow and being part of their development. Children need to see us enjoying time with them to be able to bond with us and this will eventually help strengthen the relationship in future years when they reach adulthood. The episode about your choice of clothing was funny.

[Brittany]

That's so... Becky. I could totally picture her doing that. But I want to know the story behind why you had those bathing costumes in the first place. I'm not really into the whole mustache fad, but I think Dean needs one if he's going to wear that.