Fire Pits and Backyard Progress

Our backyard is coming along, but first I've got to show you the pool at night. I was too nervous to turn the fire pits on while my husband was out of town last week, so I snapped a couple of pictures when he got home Thursday night.











Yes, that's a birthday balloon in the pool. My five year old was completely attached to it for some reason. I promise these kids have more than enough pool toys. If you follow me on Instagram you know this!

Oh, and as a disclaimer for those breaking out in a cold sweat over the fire and the kids being so close, the kids are not allowed on the rocks while the fire pits are on. Even when they are off, they are only allowed on the two lower shelves since they are wide and flat. We're making up the rules as we go along, but we realized a few things the first night. We also realized beach balls and fire did not mix the hard way. ;) You can see my little guy gathering up the airborne toys for me in the last picture. They still have plenty of toys to play with that don't go airborne, but I can't say they are that interested. I love seeing them make up games as they race each other swimming across the pool. It's nice to see them use their imaginations again!

My five year old can swim the width of the pool, but not the length. We bought him a thin Speedo life vest from Target and it has been the best thing ever. Not only does it give me piece of mind, but his swimming skills have improved dramatically and he can enjoy the entire pool instead of just the sun ledge and hot tub (aka baby pool). I wish I had known about these sooner. I only knew about the thick ones that are really uncomfortable and make swimming difficult. If you have little kids, you've got to get one!

In case you're wondering, Mario does like being outside by the pool. "By the pool" are the key words. He does not like being in the pool, but the kids wanted to see if he could swim. Luckily for Mario, he's a natural born swimmer. When he gets a little nervous around the boys he heads inside where he can safely watch what's going on from the window.




When I showed you the pool last week the deck had not been acid washed so it looked a little chalky. I was thrilled to see it when I came home from work Thursday. It's the color it's supposed to be and the best part is we're not tracking that chalky mess in the house any more.



I love how it matches the flagstone coping so nicely.




Irrigation and grass were added this weekend. We've been the DIY route before with both of these projects, so we know the extra money to pay someone else to do it is well worth it. The areas along the fence were intentionally left alone because we're going to add flowerbeds. I'm hoping to find something that grows tall fast so we have a little privacy when we're outside. The fence isn't the most attractive thing to look at either.




When it does get cool outside we want to be able to sit near the fire pits. My five year old is looking forward to making "snores." That's the reason for the half circles behind the fire pits. We're going to place large pieces of flagstone here to make a patio for chairs or benches. We need to move the sod from behind the other rocks because there will be plants here instead. I'm hoping to find something that will soften the line of the rocks and drape over them a bit.




We've been so busy enjoying the pool that we haven't made too much progress on the beams, but we did get all four of them boxed in. Before, we just had the two front ones done. We just need to add the trim and paint them next. Eventually, I'd love to add a tongue and groove ceiling on the porch with a fan, but the landscape is taking priority right now.




I also found LED candles at Target for the lanterns. It makes such a difference to have these on at night. I'm just crossing my fingers no one kicks them. My husband already broke one trying to put the candle in it. He said he just turned it over and the glass came out. Hmmm...imagine that. Thankfully, Lowe's had one left.

I still haven't shown you all the outdoor serving pieces I have. I keep forgetting to take pictures when we have parties. Don't worry. We have pool parties several times a week!

The Big Pool Reveal

Check it out!












Here is my fast attempt at weekend decorating.











We're beefing up these beams by boxing in the originals and painting them white, but we can't finish them until the deck is acid washed later this week. When that's done the concrete will be a tan color. It just has a fine layer of dust on it right now.




I love these candleholders I found at Lowe's. I can't wait to find some LED candles to put in them. They are glass, but I put them in front of the beam. Who would walk into a beam? I probably will. I'm also going to put some potted plants in front of them too for extra protection.




Hopefully, in the next year or so we will have a summer kitchen where the grill is sitting.





A rug at the back door is a must because wet feet make this tile really slippery. I bought this one at Target.




And, I have a basket of towels ready by the back door.



Obviously, we've been swimming a lot since there's only one towel left! My husband put a doorbell on the bottom that chimes every time the door opens. We can hear it all the way upstairs, which is important with small kids. Excuse my dirty floors!

We still have a lot going on this week-irrigation, grass, acid washing the deck, finishing the beams on the back porch, and fixing fences. But, I'm okay with that because we can still swim! I can't wait to show you the fire pits on at night. My husband is out of town and I'm a little nervous to turn them on.

It was an amazing night when we filled the pool! The kids were just absolutely thrilled. We had friends and family over and everyone just had a blast. One neighbor said this would be a night we would always remember. I think he's right!

An All-Star Gameroom

I didn't really have a plan of how I was going to accessorize my boys' gameroom after we remodeled. It's hard to make a decision since my three boys range from age 5 to almost 11, so their interests are very different. But, the one thing they all love is sports. Not only do we love how the room turned out, but I get to actually do something with their millions of baseball hats and trophies. Here it is!







This is the view as you walk up the stairs.







The view toward the stairs and new desk area.




The details



I was so excited to find this coffee table for $20 at Ikea. It's small, but perfect for the kids. If they destroy it then it won't be the end of the world either. The tray is from World Market and I initially bought it as a serving tray to use outside. I realized it would be perfect in this room after we put the table in here. The kids can throw books and video game remotes in it, and it's crazy how everything looks organized just because it's in a tray. The baseball opens up and we're using it to collect the stray batteries. If you have boys that play video games you know exactly what I mean!




I found these bins at Walmart for $10! I can't believe how perfectly they fit in the Ikea Hemnes bookcase. The chalkboard labels are nice, too. They also have very cool galvanized bins that are the exact same size if you are looking for an alternative to straw baskets.



I am planning to buy the door inserts from Ikea for the four middle cubbies, but they were sold out when we went. It will hide even more of their stuff. It's crazy, but this is only a small fraction of their books. The metal signs above the tv are from Hobby Lobby and the star hooks were bought years ago at Pottery Barn Kids.



The Bullpen artwork above the sofa is new. I used Command picture hangers so I didn't have to put a hole in the brand new woodwork. The art is from Hobby Lobby along with the Clubhouse and Route 66 sign. The frames and "C' is from Pottery Barn Kids. The throw pillows are all from PB Teen.

I also added a few things to the study area. The kids haven't really used this area much, but I imagine once school starts they will do homework here. For now, we're just supporting the Texans.



I want to add a few more things to this area to make it more functional. I'm thinking hanging files on the wall will be a perfect place for weekly homework packets.



I bought the mini buckets and chalkboard labels in the Target dollar section. So cute! I almost put crayons in there and then came to my senses. I want my woodwork to stay white.

One last look...



There are a few minor details to work on, but it's pretty much done! Yay!

Fourth of July Entertaining

Can you believe July 4th is next week?! After such a busy month, I am looking forward to sitting poolside and enjoying my husband's BBQ next Thursday. He loves to grill and has already loaded up on ribs since they were on sale last week. I'm already planning appetizers, side dishes and dessert, too. Here are some of my favorite Fourth of July pins that I might have to try out this year.

Get step-by-step directions on making the perfect pie here.




I wouldn't mind trying this strawberry and coconut cocktail.


These look so good!



Maybe cake pops for the kids?



And a tart for the adults.


We're planning on swimming at a local pool, and maybe heading to a festival and fireworks show if the kids are up for it (and it isn't 100 degrees outside). How about you, any plans this year?

Crazy Pool Progress

You aren't going to believe the changes to my backyard. I'm so amazed over the progress that has been made in just a week. Here's a recap.

Monday-Removed Four Huge Trees



I'm so sad to see the big oak by the swingset go, but hasta la vista pine trees!

After the mess was all cleaned up, the pool was drawn out again with orange paint. Stakes were also put up and that really gave me a good idea of what the pool is going to look like.



I had the kids stand inside the "pool" for perspective. My husband was out of town and wanted to see the progress. When I told them the pictures were for daddy, they decided to do this.



The little one obviously hasn't gotten down the concept of mooning.


Tuesday-The Digging Begins



I had a hard time watching this. The bobcat came within inches of my covered porch beams and it almost gave me heart attack every single time. The worst is what it did to my front yard.



It actually got much worse than this. It will be fixed, it will be fixed...

I did get excited once I saw the pool completely dug out.



Can you see it? I can see it. The hot tub is on the left. The two round areas are going to be fire pits. Yes, fire pits! In between the fire pits is going to be a waterfall. Thanks for all your feedback on the previous pool post. It really helped me decide on the waterfall.



They were just finishing up when I left the house to meet some friends at our community pool. I will not miss spending half an hour packing up my pool bag and cooler when we get this pool in! I figured they would be gone when I got home because they dug out the pool in one day. Nope! They had enough time to go ahead and put in the rebar.



Crazy! They were here into the evening hours until they completely finished the rebar. Can you believe they did this in one day?

On Wednesday, they put in piping for the water and were hoping to gunite. The truck was reserved that day and on Thursday. There are a ton of pools being put in right now from what I hear. But, no worries! The gunite is going in today. Next week, is going to be all about the rocks and stone coping. Can't wait!