Our pool is complete!

Our pool is completed (minus the landscaping)!!!  It took less than 2 months from start to finish and we now have our dream pool!  We are all so incredibly excited for our pool.  Now we just need some hot weather.

Our waterfall jumping wall provides a large jumping platform for the kids and 2 beautiful walls of water cascading down into the pool.  The cool part is that I designed this feature and I am thrilled with how it turned out!

Our mommy and baby turtle tiles at the bottom of the pool add a personal touch and a bit of Hawaii to our backyard oasis.

Here is the project from start to finish.  It has been very interesting to see everything that goes into creating a pool.

Our yard before...though it looks lush, it had so many large, useless planter boxes and rose bushes.  We were not sad to tear it all up!

Demolition day

Pool digging

So many pipes are installed all around the pool for the pump, solar heater, waterfall and electricity.

Rebar was installed in the hole after it was dug out

Gunite was sprayed on all the rebar and sculpted out the interior of the pool

Waterfall tile and wall tile came after gunite

Cement for the pool deck

Solar panels for the heater came after the decking

Turtle tiles and stair tiles were the last to be installed before the plaster.

 Plaster was the last process.  I did not get a picture since I was gone during the time it took place.  All I know is that they instantly started to fill the pool after the plaster was completed.  It took over 14 hours to fill the pool with 2 hoses.  I had to set my alarm to 1:30AM to turn both hoses off.

Can't wait to jump in!

Kindergarten Zoo Field Trip

Kate's class just got back from a field trip to the Sacramento Zoo.  I was able to chaperon and I only had to supervise Kate and her friend, Mileh.  It was a very fun and quick trip.

The entire class made special zoo shirts for their trip.  They stamped zoo animals on their shirts with special fabric paint.  It made it very easy to spot kids from our school since they all matched in white.

Kate loved the giraffes best of all.  My personal favorite were the 3 lion cubs with their mommy and daddy.

Fun trip!

"You Ain't Never Had A Friend Like Me"

Kate's second tap recital took place this weekend...3 performances total.  Her tap class danced to the Aladdin song "You Ain't Never Had A Friend Like Me!"  The girls were dressed a genies.  Their dance routine and dance moves were so spectacular.  They were so amazing and Kate loved every second of it!  So much fun!!!

Kate is the youngest out of her class of 5.  This is Miss Virginia's fist year teaching this tap class and she did a fantastic job!

Of course, I have to include an adorable picture of Maggie.  She sat so quietly during the show.  Maybe next year she will be on stage too. :-)

Maybe ballet will be Maggie's dance of choice...only time will tell.

Muffins with Mommy (and Gramma)

Maggie's preschool just hosted Muffins with Mommy, which is an annual event for all mommy's and grandmas to come and have a special muffin breakfast with the kids.  They sing a special song to the mommy's and give a special homemade gift.  It is a very special and sweet morning.  

Gramma was able to join us, which was a super treat!

Maggie made me a little flower pot that she decorated with her fingerprints.

Muffin time!

Maggie showed us around her outdoor play area and especially loved showing us how she rolls the balls down the ramp and digs in the sand.

We love you so much Maggie!