And finally...drum roll please... we bought one!! Well, we did...along with my parents who wanted to add Raegan's, Selah's, and Charis's birthday money to the pot.
So what do you do when you have a pool, folded up nicely in a rather large box, sitting in your side yard?
Well, first we chose the most level part of our yard (a huge must!). put down some sand and topsoil to pad the small rocks underneath (to avoid a pool puncture "wound"). and then, went to setting up the beastie.
And when I say "we", obviously I mean Jet. Just to be clear.
We got the kind that doesn't blow up. It's proven much sturdier than the blow up/soft-sided one we tried out, which partially collapsed with us in it. spilling gallons of costly water over its edge in a matter of seconds.
It's also bigger than the one we tried out...4ft tall. Selah can see over it, IF she jumps up. ;)
But being that we're in the "learning how to swim" phase with the girls, we just chose to fill it 'er half-way.
This way they're getting comfortable with the water (while being heavily suited in floaties). more confident in their abilities. and thus, more willing to try out the particulars of swimming.
Like holding your breath and going underwater!! This is HUGE!! It took all of one day for Charis to catch on! The girl continues to amaze me with her hidden athletic abilities.
It's proven to be THE best investment for us! We can take the girls swimming whenever we want. not worry about the crowds or rowdy children that may inadvertently dunk one of our inexperienced kidlets OR give a second thought to the pee to water ratio. *ick*
Over and over, Jet and I will just look at each other and say "Man, this was a great buy!" Seriously, I'd tell anyone thinking about it, to go for it!
Because, in all honesty, I really didn't expect to think this highly of it. It was for practical reasons: to teach the girls to swim. But it's been so much more than that.
For the amount of money that we paid, it'll pay for itself by the end of summer. with my not having to shell out for swimming lessons this year. or for the gas money that it would have taken getting to and from town every day.
And the results have been sincerely priceless!
You just can't put a value on the memories that are being created. right in our side yard.
