So, it’s been hot here. And, I’ve often heard that if you can’t beat it, you should join it…so we decided to embrace the heat and get Claire a little backyard pool.
Who would have thought that finding a pool would be such a difficult task? Well, apparently, everyone else bought all the pools a month or so ago. It was slim pickins at the stores we went to, but we succeeded! The very last store we went to had the best one to suit our needs: cheap yet good quality, and easy to transport.
Both my hubby and I had envisioned getting one of those old-school hard plastic kiddie pools. Do they not make those anymore? I mean, it was in the late 1900s the last time I played in one… Or, were they all snatched up at the beginning of the season? We’ll never know. I was concerned about how to transport one of those home, but as it turned out, I didn’t have to worry about that, because they were nowhere to be found. We did find a pool that folds up flat, has an inflatable ring around the top, and opens to a good size. Perfect!
Once we had it out of its super-convenient carrying case (seriously…this thing folds in on itself, down to a circle that is about a foot in diameter! It comes in a handy little carrying case, but I can foresee that putting it away at the end of the season will be interesting…), Claire and I decided to scout for the perfect location.
We knew we wanted it on one of the levels of the deck.
Click photos to enlarge.
Clicking a second time will show more detail.
Should we put it in the sun so that the water will warm quickly and stay the right temperature? Or, will it being in the sun cause the occupants to burst into flame, thus melting the pool and/or causing too much steam? 
Or, should we put it in a spot on the deck that is shaded in the morning and late afternoon and evening, with only a few hours of direct sunlight to heat the cold water? And, will fishing out all the tree debris make me too crazy to enjoy the pool?
We decided that the water will heat just fine in that location, and that being in the shade was more important than a couple Linden leaves that may or may not end up in the water. Plus, we’ll cover it when we’re not in it, so it will be fine.
So, the next step was to get the tarp out of my hubby’s shed to use as a protective liner under the pool. Piece of cake! No problem! Where’s the tarp? I’ll go get it.
“It’s on the south wall, by the saw,” he said.
“Awesome,” I said. “I’ll be right back.”
“Be careful…I saw a spider on it the other day,” he said, knowing of my thoughts of those creepy crawlies and how much trouble he’d be in if he didn’t warn me.
“Um, okay…” I said, pretending not to care. “I’ll look it over before I grab it.”
Okay…now, go look at that photo again. Do you see something unusual?
In my attempt to see if there was a spider hiding on the tarp, I slowly lifted the plastic bag and then saw this.
Needless to say, I’m not sure who was more startled: Me or the 43 wasps I rudely interrupted. I ran so fast back to the house that I’m not even sure if my feet touched the ground. Seriously.
I flew through the glass sliding door and slammed it behind me. I stood in the kitchen clutching my chest. I thought my heart was going to beat right out of my ribcage. Whooooo, that was not what I expected!!
Luckily, I’d had Claire stay in the kitchen. The last thing she needed to witness was Momma screaming at the big spider that used to frequent the tarp. Plus, wasps like my hubby’s shed, and every time we open the door, some of them fly out…but my discovery had solved the mystery as to where their secret home was. (My hubby had found some obvious cones and taken care of those earlier in the season…)
So, after taking photos (obviously…I have my priorities!) and neutralizing the threat (via spray…I hate the chemicals, but ya gotta do what ya gotta do…Momma, er, I mean, Claire needs a pool!), our weekend project was back on track.
Like I said, we chose a nice spot on the upper deck.
What you don’t see in this picture is the fact that the water is hovering right above the freezing point, and Claire is refusing to leave the pool. She has apparently lost all feeling in her lower appendages, but doesn’t care.
Being taken to the ER for hyperthermia at the end of July would be rather embarrassing, so we extricated her from the pool. We had to use force. It wasn’t pretty. The neighbors heard the screaming and mournful cries. I realize it was cruel and unusual punishment to set up such a cool (quite literally, I’m afraid) toy and then not let anyone play in it properly RIGHT NOW.
So, we covered it with an old fitted sheet to keep the tree goobers out. And, the blazing afternoon sun worked its magic.
By the time Claire was done with her afternoon nap, the pool was shaded again, and we were ready!!
Aaaaahhhhh. Now, that’s what I’m talkin’ about.
The water in the pool was still a bit chilly, but it was the perfect temperature for a nice dip. After we got our legs acclimated to the temperature, both Claire and I decided to take the plunge. On the count of three, we both sat in the pool. I knew that once we got over the initial shock, it would be awesome…and it was!
Who am I kidding? Little Miss The Water Was Just Fine This Morning You Big Wussy didn’t even bat an eyelash…Momma was the one who needed a moment to compose herself.
But, it only took a moment…because, after all the complaining I’ve done about the heat, this has proven to be our favorite place to be! 
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