Adventures in Boating

I think I have entered full-out Mommy mode.  We have a boat and enjoy summers on the lake.  It has always been a relaxing way for us to recharge our batteries on the weekend.  Last year, we took Shelby on the boat with us and of course she was still little so she slept through the whole thing.  This weekend we loaded up with some of our friends and ventured out on the lake for a couple of hours. Well, let me share with you how that unraveled . . .

First, just getting to the lake took us almost all day.  By the time we waited for Shelby to take her nap so she would be on schedule and a happy little boater it was after 2 p.m.  I think we actually got the boat in the water with everyone on board by 3-ish.  I really like to plan and I can tell you my planning mojo was completely off course with this outing.

Usually my husband backs the trailer down the ramp with me in the boat and I start the boat and come back to pick him up at the dock after he parks.  Now, picture that scenario with a mobile, very curious 16-month-old Shelby.  And did I mention we decided to put on her swimsuit/swim diaper/lifejacket after we got to the lake?  Again, my planning skills on this one were of epic failure.

We found a beach and got out so she could play in the waves and walk in the sand.  We also brought along her little raft so she got to enjoy that under the watchful eye of Mommy and Daddy.

The whole time we were out on the lake thoughts are running through my head like “does she need more sunscreen?” or “I need to hang on to her so she doesn’t go flying out of the boat if we hit a big wake!”

When we starting to approach 5 p.m. we thought it best to head back to dry land and call it a day.  Brett went up to get the truck/trailer and my friends and I were in the boat waiting for him to return so I could pull up the boat on the trailer.  Then it happened.  Her fun button went off.  The meltdown began.

And of course there seemed to be about 150 people in front of my husband getting their boats out (though it was only about five or six) and they seemed to be taking all the time in the world.  However, I think that was just because my daughter was screaming and flailing because she. was. done.

Needless to say I was a bit frazzled by the time I rammed the boat up on the trailer and told Brett he could “fix it” from there.  God bless my husband.  I’m not sure how he puts up with me!  Our next outing on the water will indeed take some better planning so maybe mommy can just relax and enjoy getting to spend time with those I love.  

Makala Pollard is a Sr. Marketing Specialist with Texas Health Resources, Stepmom to two boys, and Mom to an 16-month-old daughter Shelby.