Dylan's Birthday Party

One of the things we are most proud of in our home is our backyard. It was a huge selling point for us when we bought it. It was a large undertaking in trying to landscape and design it since we started out with just dirt and a fence. We have tried very hard to make our yard an environment where our kids want to be. It is very child friendly.

We have two large shade trees in either corner of our backyard which have come in very handy for summer birthday parties. Dylan had a "backyard beach" party this year and our yard proved to be the perfect venue.

Another great aspect of our yard is our swing set. It has become one of the best purchases we have ever made. The kids use it year round to swing, play on the monkey bars and climbing wall, and to go up into their "fort". It also has become the perfect spot for a pinata.

We purposely put the play equipment in the corner so that we could utilize the rest of the yard for a large grassy area for kids to run around. Besides games of duck, duck goose, the kids have enjoyed soccer, volleyball, croquet and large games of tag. Ideal for any occasion unless you have to mow the lawn.

The yard is large enough to accommodate many people at one time. We have had socials, and BBQ's where several families have been over at once and you never feel crowed. Dylan invited his entire class over this year for his birthday party.

One of the first things we did on our backyard is put in a stamped concrete patio. It covers the back of the house. We put many comfy outdoor chairs and a couch on the patio. It has become the gathering spot for all of the adults. We have also been quite fortunate to have shade on that side of the house for much of the day.

Of all the perks of the backyard we like our sidewalk that runs along the perimeter of the yard the best. The kids call it the "race track". The concrete sidewalk is three feet wide and runs a complete circle in the yard. The kids have been able to ride bikes, roller skate, and scooter. It has also helped to boarder the yard and can give kids a good boundary of where to play. We love it.

To have the perfect beach party I had to hunt all over town for as many beach ball items that I could find. Each party store provided me with a different kind of ball. We had a beach ball cake (3D), a beach ball pinata, beach balls (already blown up) for party favors, and a gigantic (four foot) beach ball to play volleyball. The kids thought it was great, especially the giant one that had to go back into the trampoline enclose to ensure it's and the kids safety for the rest of the party.

The biggest hit by far for the party were the slip and slides. Those just never seem to get old. We set them up in one corner of the yard and them folded them over on themselves to make more room to run around until we were ready to use them. We were a little worried about the grass after an entire classroom full of kids had a hay day on the slides, but it all worked out okay.

Last but not least we ended our party with a great game of water balloon catch (with towels). Of course it turned into a giant water balloon fight. We filled about 200 balloons the night before and had them in a cooler ready to go. They went faster, then we could take them out of the container. Thank goodness for our backyard. Fun was had by all and I must say it was a happy wet day.