Mother’s Day was celebrated with a splash Sunday at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center.

Offering free admission to all mothers accompanied by their families, the pool gave moms a chance to let their worries float away.

Charlene and Justin Palmer watch as their son, Wesley, 6 months, gets his first-ever taste of swimming at the Lawrence Indoor Aquatic Center's children's pool. The family went to the center Sunday afternoon to take advantage of the Mother's Day family special.

Shortly after opening at 1:30 p.m., the pool filled with families celebrating the holiday.

“I think this is great,” said Susanne Boatright of Lee’s Summit. “I swim on a regular basis anyway, and on a day like today, it’s really nice.”

Boatright came to the pool with her daughter, Melissa, 12, her mother, Mary Rosenthal, Lawrence, and a niece, Ashley Rosenthal, 11.

“We’re just glad to be together,” Boatright said.

The pool was less crowded than usual Sunday, but there were plenty of families and moms, said Chip Lee, a lifeguard and cashier at the pool, 4706 Overland Drive.

“We’re just trying to make it easier on them for their special day,” he said.

Patti Browning and her daughter, Clare, 4, of Lawrence came to the pool after breakfast, church and a quiet morning when Browning could sit and read the entire newspaper.

“It’s the best day in the world,” Browning said as she went inside to swim.

Lisa Ball and Mike Grose, Lawrence, brought their son, Logan, 11 months. It was their first time at the center.

“We thought it was a good chance to see the facilities,” Grose said.

Ball said she was enjoying her first Mother’s Day by getting Logan ready for an infant/parent swimming class this summer.

“It’s fun to spend the day with my family,” she said.