Summer Haven

I have found summer bliss and it's right in my backyard! Seriously ... it is my backyard! I'm going to share many pictures of my yard but I warn you, it isn't pretty. It's not a lovely, quaint, manicured lawn. It's got some grass, a lot of dirt, a TON of kid toys and a small pool. But, it's mine and my kids and I can spend ALL day out there! I'll be talking about the pictures as needed, feel free to ask questions if you have any. 

In this picture you can see the roller coaster (a $40 Once Upon a Child find), my squirrel feeder, the swing set, our outside table, and the tree swing. Our table is surrounded by tiki torches to fend off the bugs while we eat. In the way back is our wood piles for little fires. 

This is my little corner of bliss right here. My chair, little tables for my phone, drinks and Game of Thrones book. The kids picnic table where they eat their lunch just about every day. The hose is there which I use to fill the bucket, the water table, the little tiny wading pool and all that. Here begins our huge gaggle of toys. I try to at least contain them up against the side of the house. The smaller items get shoved in the toy box or the bucket. You can also see our redneck bug zapper that I love. We turn it on when we're outside at night and it really helps. You can also see some diaper laundry hanging on the line. I love my clothes line too although I've only ever hung swimming items or diapers on it so far. 

Here is more and more toys and the start of our pool. Gosh I love that thing. It's small enough that it isn't a huge pain in the buttski but it's large enough that I can sit in it and just chill. There is a floating cooler in it complete with five cup holders for whatever your throat is thirsty for. Miranda probably spends 3-4 hours a day in that pool. I spend about half an hour max at a time, just enough to cool down. The best part is that it's in full shade by 1:00 so I don't really have to worry as much about sun burns although I of course put sun screen on my kids every day.

Here is a *SURPRISE* picture of Elliott's brand new hair cut. He's completely bald like his daddy now. Not sure I like it but hey, he's definitely nice and cool and wears a hat a lot now. 

This is the view from the roller coaster. You can see the fire pit and the pool quite nicely. 

Oh yeah, I also have a hammock and we have a ladder ball game set up. 

And there you have it. There is my summer paradise. It may not look like much but it is mine and it makes my life very happy and enjoyable!

It's even better when filled with friends and family. <3 br="">