New Pool

When John and I were out on our date last night (that we didn't know was happening until 5 minutes before we left) we stopped at Walmart to buy Annalise some new PJ's and walked out with PJ's and a pool! We have been working towards getting one for some time but hadn't planned to buy it last night. Oh well, I guess that's what happens when you go shopping with your husband on payday!

When we got home, I told the boys that we had a surprise for them that they would get in the morning. It was fun hearing them try to guess what it was. It took them a while, but they did guess it before we showed them...although we didn't tell them that they had. They really thought that it was the rest of the trampoline that has been sitting in our back yard for 2 years now. But no, that will have to come later.

So this morning after chores we headed out to show them the surprise. They brought these things that William had made to show that it was a great day celebration.

Once they saw that it was a pool we took it out of the car and went back to set it up.

The boys helped John set it up. The box said it would take 45 minutes to set up...it took us a little longer.

Bryce checking out the pool box

Annalise uses just about anything she can get her hands on as a walker.

Spencer kept escaping into the house to play on the computer.

More sorting.

Finally it starts to go up!

It was really hot out there today. Definitely a day that made a pool sound like a great investment!

Almost finished!

William was the first one in.

The water was very cold when you first got in. William, Jacob, Bryce, and I went into the pool as soon as it started filling up. After lunch, Spencer went in for a while on his own, but soon William and Jacob joined him.

Spencer "water bending" in the pool.

These are some pool toys that I bought 2 years ago on clearance that have been sitting in our closet ever since. Even after all that time, they worked great!

Three very happy boys!

I have always steered away from having a pool for fear of one of the little ones falling in. Well, this year we have been talking about it and the older boys are old enough now to know the rules and follow them, and they can swim pretty well. The younger two are no longer able to get close to the pool on their own so that takes away the chance of them falling in. Also, Bryce and Annalise's Physical therapist is talking about getting them into some aquatic therapy this year since it is so much easier for them to move in the water. Having a pool of our own may make this a bit easier. It has also become basically impossible for me to take all of the kids to the public pool on my own. This way, the boys will be able to be outside and do something other than the computer and Wii through the Summer.

I know I sound like I am justifying it, and maybe I am. I guess that is because I feel guilty spending the money on a pool when so many people are helping us to raise money for Bryce and Annalise's needs (which are growing by the minute it seems). But, like I said before, that's what happens when you go shopping and find what you have been looking for, and it is on sale for almost half the price of the others you have seen...especially when you go with your husband on payday!