Names: Molly, Dan, Tuolumne (3) & Warren (18 mo)
Location: Rochester, NY

The kids and I spend A LOT of time outside in our backyard. They play in the (kiddie) pool and sandbox while I weed/garden or read. I made the sandbox and the teepee last year, and they have really made the yard much more child friendly.

I am surprised how daring my son is walking through the plants, that are so much taller than he is, to get to the teepee (made with lots of help from my mom). This year my mom also bought the rubber mats to put under the pool and it really tied the area together, as well as making the pool much more fun (underneath the foam is asphalt, so it was not that comfortable with the soft bottom of the pool.) We also have a couple of swings - a baby swing in the gazebo, which is great because we can swing in the rain - and a round swing hanging from a tree. It really feels like an oasis in a sea of asphalt backyards (parking for the apartments).

Thanks Molly!