How can you say no?

So, swimming might just be the most difficult thing in the world. I mean, the hour before swimming (5-6pm on Wednesdays) is the worst hour of my week. It is horrible. Try getting three girls fed and into swim suits, bag packed and out the door by yourself. It is nuts. It is so difficult it is almost a deal breaker. It is one of those moments when I am sure anyone who thinks I am doing a good job would look in and say "woah... I was wrong, she does not have it all together."

But then we get in the WARM pool (I don't think I would go to the trouble if it was a cold pool). All is good. The two big girls can handle themselves in the pool w/o being held. The littlest one charms everyone and splashes on command. It is a great sneak attack. The pool is fun, they feel comfortable, and they say silly things like "mom, look at me jog in the pool. I am running a marathon. It won't take long it is shorter for shorter people."

Then on to the changing clothes again. Argh! Wet, sticky babies in a wet room. Babies that need to be dry when they go out into the cold. Babies that roll and scream and oh, btw... I need to change too. Thank goodness for aunties and nana's. It doesn't mean the task is easy, simply manageable. We get them into their jammies (why change again when we get home?) and into their rain boots (remember, very wet room. Very cute boots.).

Oh wait. Baby #1 has a problem, she doesn't like the PJ's picked out. What to do? She says "mom, thank you for thinking of me, but I would prefer not to wear those pj pants tonight." How can you say no? I explained that I got them because of the draft, but that she could opt out because she asked so (SO!) politely. So if we have pneumonia in the house, it is because I cannot say no to someone who starts with "Thanks, but no thanks."