Patio and Front Walkway Update

Well, the Missouri god of rain is making up for the lack of moisture over the winter.  I would normally welcome it, I'm a huge fan of rain, but it's really putting a damper on the exterior progress of our house.  Namely the concrete work that needs to be done.  

A few weeks ago they were able to get in and rip out all the existing concrete so that new concrete could go in.  Here is what it looked like:

Then we got a ton of rain and it turned into a swimming pool (I guess Kidlet #3 got his wish after all!)

Fortunately, our concrete contractor (he's AMAZING in my book) got the water pumped out and we had a few dry days so that he could lay down rock before it rained again.  But, the weather is not in our favor to actually get it poured.  So this is how it will be the next few days, if not weeks:

It looks so good already!  We are going to do an aggregate on the front walk.  As for the back patio, we have gone back and forth and back and forth between the stamp and aggregate concretes.  We have looked at stamps and honestly I just can't find one I love for the extra money it will cost us.  I finally had a good talk with the contractor (and my husband who wanted the stamp to begin with)  and in his opinion he thinks we should do aggregate.  He keeps telling me it's the biggest bang for my buck.  I have to agree.  I also don't think this in a stamped concrete house.  One thing that is really important in doing a house right is making sure what you do fits the house.  You can take two exact designs, products,  or color schemes and they will look amazing in one house and silly in another.  I'm a firm believer in having the house dictate the way you should design it.  The great thing is that you can implement your style into any type of house, but you have to be flexible.  I will have a lot more to say on this subject when I post about the kitchen.  I can't wait to tell you what I'm doing with colors, etc.  It's going to look great.  But for now, pray for sunny skies so we can get this done and move onto the next project!!

"Mom! Come Quick.......

.....there's a SWIMMING POOL in our backyard!!"

That is what my adorable and excited about life, Kidlet #3 said as he came running around the side of the house yesterday.  He was convinced beyond convinced that a pool was going in OUR backyard.  How I wish I could have told him it was true.  Someday - maybe - when everyone can swim like a Navy Seal.  (Yes, I'm a paranoid mom!  Who isn't?)

The pool he was referring to was the shallow mud pit that will be the base for our new concrete pad.  After the rain that is forecast for today and tomorrow, he may get his wish after all.

Here is what it looked like before we started anything:

I'm gonna miss that burn pile ------NOT!!  I'm loving the greener grass!!  The pad clearly was not in great shape, but still I hesitated to take it up at this point.  I'm so glad we decided to do it.  The boys were out there a week or so ago and with just a minimal amount of effort, were pulling up pieces of it.  It was literally crumbling before our eyes.

Here is what they've done as of yesterday:

Now instead of a burn pile, I have a large dirt pile ;)

We are almost doubling the size of the new patio going in.  I was set to have it be an aggregate fill, but after talking it over with Greg and some friends, we've decided to do a stamped concrete.  It is a bit more in money, but concrete pads aren't something you just change out if you feel like it.  We still have to finalize the stamp we want and the color we want it to be.  It's such a permanent thing that I'm nervous to get it wrong.  I guess I can always hide it with furniture and plants if it looks terrible. 

They won't be pouring the concrete for a few days because of the forecast rain, so I won't be able to show the final product until next week at the earliest.  I can't wait!

LOTS is going on at the house.  We have started some major projects this week and I will hopefully have posts of the kids bathroom and basement floor finished by next week.  It's coming, it's coming!!!

Make your day great!!