Opinions needed on backyard water fun
Ok, once again I'm seeking opinions here.
I can't decide between a kiddie pool for Matthew or one of those cool sprinklers, like an octopus or something, to play in when it gets hot this summer.
Advantages to pool: splashing, get to play with water toys, fill the pool up once and play with water for weeks (no prep work needed).
Disadvantages to pool: free-standing water means breeding ground for mosquitoes (West Nile issues), having to dump the water out when it gets icky or near-icky, deciding between a blow-up pool or non-blow-up pool (which would require another opinion poll), I can't fit in a kiddie pool, and my policy against wearing a bathing suit (if I manage to kick Matthew out of it so I can play for a bit).
Advantages to octopus (or similar) sprinkler: no free-standing water/mosquito issue, the water stays cold on a hot day, Matthew likes to run through our regular sprinkler already, waters the lawn at the same time, I can fit in my backyard so no issues there, bathing suit not necessary (although possibly a good idea), doesn't take up a lot of room in the backyard, I've always wanted this kind of sprinkler but never had one when I was a kid (pout!).
Disadvantages to octopus (or similar) sprinkler: the water must run continuously and thus will hike our water bill tremendously, set-up and dismantling of sprinkler.
Which one should I pick?
I can't decide between a kiddie pool for Matthew or one of those cool sprinklers, like an octopus or something, to play in when it gets hot this summer.
Advantages to pool: splashing, get to play with water toys, fill the pool up once and play with water for weeks (no prep work needed).
Disadvantages to pool: free-standing water means breeding ground for mosquitoes (West Nile issues), having to dump the water out when it gets icky or near-icky, deciding between a blow-up pool or non-blow-up pool (which would require another opinion poll), I can't fit in a kiddie pool, and my policy against wearing a bathing suit (if I manage to kick Matthew out of it so I can play for a bit).
Advantages to octopus (or similar) sprinkler: no free-standing water/mosquito issue, the water stays cold on a hot day, Matthew likes to run through our regular sprinkler already, waters the lawn at the same time, I can fit in my backyard so no issues there, bathing suit not necessary (although possibly a good idea), doesn't take up a lot of room in the backyard, I've always wanted this kind of sprinkler but never had one when I was a kid (pout!).
Disadvantages to octopus (or similar) sprinkler: the water must run continuously and thus will hike our water bill tremendously, set-up and dismantling of sprinkler.
Which one should I pick?
posted by Mommy Shmear at
6:02 PM
6 Comments:
OK just my opinion here but I go for the pool. Yes you have to dump it out and clean it and yes it is a breeding ground for west nile but the toy factor is a big one and if you want you can get just your feet wet or the entire body. Choices here. not to mention less likey to get water flung into your eye or trip or something. I always wanted one of those sprinklers too but I have found (with four kids experience here don't forget) that the pool got more use when it was up and clean. Sprinkler is ok if Matthew is by himself but if any friends come over it also cause concerns for colisions.
Call me strange I like to be able to see when I play.
By
Mir, At
Monday, June 20, 2005 12:01:00 PM
My vote is the pool too. Ben tried his out for the first time on Sunday and he LOVED it! It's like a giant bathtub he can crawl around in - what's not to love?
Yeah, you have to deal with bugs and grass and other random debris in the water, but he's the one who puts it all in there in the first place. :)
Gord (my DH) climbed right in too - clothes and all - and cooled off. See, you don't need a swimsuit!
Good luck with your choice, whatever it may be!
By
Carrie (or Maybe Gord!), At
Monday, June 20, 2005 11:03:00 PM
DH = Dick Head?
My wife says "no" but I don't really believe her.
By
Daddy, At
Tuesday, June 21, 2005 10:52:00 PM
In our case, "if the shoe fits!" LOL! I sure hope my "DH" doesn't read this!
By
Carrie (or Maybe Gord!), At
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 12:52:00 PM
Could be DH= Dumb Hoser
Deliquent Husband
Dumbass Hubby (or would that be DAH?)
I could go on but I have better things to do..LOL
By
Mir, At
Wednesday, June 22, 2005 1:49:00 PM
Well Christine:
Let me tell you. You have to get one of those plastic pools that have a lid. Matthew can sit on top of it when it is closed, it will keep mosquitos away, the cats don't accidently drown in it, and they are really cute. sprinklers are okay, but your lawn gets over-watered and the grass starts to slide out of the ground, leaving large patches of mud. Bad idea. Another helpful hint. Keep the tools in the shed and out of reach. Children like to use them to see if they will stick in the pool. they don't realize that the water will leak out, or the air if it is a blow up pool. Too many headaches. I caught one of the babysitting kids with an ice breaker in the hard plastic pool just wanting to see what happened when he poked the bottom of the pool. he thought that if the bottom of the pool was touching the ground then the water wouldn't leak out. The pool was put away sometime after that and the slip and slide came out. This extremely exciting toy is great for kids but is a bad idea if you have a big kid in the house. it is not made for adults. They seem to break their ankles when using this very slippery device. And if the ground is too hard, man you will hear them scream when they hit the ground. it is kind of funny though.
Re: socks with sandals..........NO, NO, NO, NO......it's like an old man wearing black socks with his sneakers and shorts, or an undershirt withhis black socks, sneakers and shorts. he can only wear socks with the sandals if he starts to grow hair on his back. hahahahahahaha
make sure you get the real beach sand for the sandbox. it is the best. And be sure to have a lid that you can either anchor down or is heavy enough to stay down because the racoons, cats and ground hogs love to crap in them. I know this by experience.
Bye Chrissy. See ya some time during the summer months. P.S. You are brave wearing a bathing suit. you wouldn't catch me in one. Shorts either.
Lover your other sister. See ya.
By
Anonymous, At
Monday, June 27, 2005 7:11:00 PM
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