June 1, 2008. Canyon Lake, Texas. Fun in the Sun.

Yesterday, the last day of May was a busy day for the David Dickie Family at the lake. The two older girls, Sarah and Abigail went off the their sailing class bright and early at nine o'clock. David took them over in the boat and once again stayed to help. The twins, Allison and Samantha elected to stay home in the morning, then go over to see the action at the sailing school after lunch. Suzanne, Ken and I stayed home at the lake house. I wanted to go for a walk, so the twins agreed to walk with me, if I was willing to walk to the swings. Of course I agreed, so off we went, complete with a bottle of water and after covering every bare surface with sun screen. The girls are very good about applying sun screen before going outdoors. Actually they are much better than me. I just try to stay out of the sun. On the way to the swings we looked into the windows of the two houses for sale, and we walked around both houses. They were quite good at evaluating the houses as to their desirability. It was interesting to hear their comments about the deck being too small or this house not being on the water. I wondered whether this could be genetic? The swing set was on the grounds of the Community Center and Swimming pool. Since we last noticed, the swing set had been removed and a climber with swings and rock wall installed, so the girls played happily on the new piece of equipment. But it was hot so the girls wanted to swim. The problem was that I did not have the key, but as we started to head for home to swim in the lake, a very nice man lent us his key. Now this is a big pool and we were the only people there. Those girls love to swim and they are in the third year of swim team, which has just started up for the season so they practiced their laps and strokes, giving me a running commentary on which strokes they like best and which strokes they do best. Then they played with their shoes in the water. Finally, as their were picnic tables, Allison suggested we call Suzanne and bring us over a picnic lunch. This child is always thinking. So Ken and Suzanne came over with lunch before the four of us walked back home. The twins thought it not fair to drive home, as I would not have completed my walk. Of course, at some point I got hot, so took off my shorts to swim too. My shirt almost covered my underpants. The young boy who came later never even noticed!!

All afternoon we were on the boat watching the expertise of the new sailors The afternoon wind was gusty so lots of boats tipped, but the ability to right the boat had been well learned. Sarah twice took her little boat out past the breakwater and around the marker way out from shore and back out again. Abigail sailed all afternoon by herself in the protected harbor, and had a blast. After the class was finished, David took Ken and me back to the house, while the girls and two friends children went tubing with David and Suzanne. They had a wonderful time, eventually coming home at seven thirty, hungry and tired but happy. Fortunately, Ken had prepared the dinner. Actually, the two older girls went home with their friends for the night, after much lobbying from the girls. Suzanne was reluctant but finally agreed, so the twins and four adults got to eat all the delicious meal. And that is a story of life at the lake with David and Suzanne and their four girls. There is never a dull moment for sure.