Pool and Backyard Remodel

We've owned our home for about 11 years and had no idea how old the existing pool was. There were definitely signs of deterioration, but we tried to hold out on remodeling for as long as possible because we knew it would be a huge project. Instead of just resurfacing and/or re-tiling, we decided it was time to attack all aspects. Our yard was in need of love because we had a trampoline that killed all the grass underneath it and various other spots in the yard that had trouble growing grass. Lastly, the patio near our back door was sort of a pebble style, which wasn't comfortable underneath bare feet. Like I said - big project! Here are the cringe-worthy before pictures:

After we finally decided which company to use, our remodel list was created. It included: removing a retaining wall, removing two trees, skim-coating the patio, removing landscaping, adding turf and new landscaping, replacing plaster, coping, tile, stone, and decking, replacing the diving board, filling in the unused hot tub and making a tanning ledge with bubbler, installing a pool light, and adding a hidden auto-filler. Whew! Making all the selections and staying on top of the project was time-consuming, and the price tag was not for the faint of heart either. But, all in all, I'm so happy we finally took the plunge and turned our backyard space into something to be proud of. Enjoy the after pics! 

 

Jude Turns Ten!

Recently we celebrated a very special boy turning TEN! He loves animals, so we took him and a few friends to The Dunham Farm in Burleson. They got some VIP time with capybaras, wallabies, a Patagonian Cavy, some emus, and baby pigs.

 

Jude continues to impress us with his thirst for knowledge and incredible memory. He loves geography, and I mean really loves it! We play a geography board game for fun, he asks to play a geography app on my phone, and he watches YouTube videos about flags. Like...by choice. He has memorized the flags of more than a hundred countries and knows almost all the US state flags. He has learned all the capitals in the Americas and Europe. He is becoming a trivia buff (like his parents) and asks to be quizzed when we're at dinner. He still loves AJR and knows the words to almost all of their songs.

He recently completed a soccer season, likes to play pickleball, and is about to start a basketball season. He tied for first in his 4th grade class spelling bee and moved on to the school-wide bee (4th-6th grade). He got sick the morning of the school-wide bee, but didn't want to miss it. He assured us he was fine so he could go to school and participate. Unfortunately his body didn't cooperate and he had to run out in the 4th round to throw up! Poor guy didn't get to finish, so we'll never know how it would've turned out. I have a feeling he would've come out in the top 3 though, because he nailed all the practice lists he was given. 

He's always game for trying new things, is sweet and loving, and doesn't sit still. I can't wait to see the mark he'll leave on the world as he gets older. Happy birthday, Jude!