It may not look like much more than some grass but this was a huge dirt pit when we first moved in!  Our neighbors said they had put sod down a few times, and it never stuck.  So we tested our soil, asked some experts on timing and type of grass that would be best (st. augustine was the winner), jb and my dad rented a bucket truck and trimmed trees for an entire weekend so this area could have more sun, and waited (impatiently on my part) until just the right time to put sod down.  It’s been a year and though we’ve gone through literal rough patches, to the amazement of our neighbors and us, it has stuck!  We also had this area rounded with the old bricks, and a pathway put in going to the gate.

An outside dining table was on our long list to buy when we first moved in.  I kept my eyes out and found this one from target… though it’s not available at the moment.  We’ve had it since January and it’s held up surprisingly well.   I do worry, maybe unnecessarily, about how it will do long term out there and I think it would hold up better under a covered porch.  But what doesn’t!  The chairs are safavieh “hooper” outdoor/indoor chairs (though I couldn’t find the above color combo), that we used to have inside.  They have been amazing outdoors!  I would buy these again in an instant.  It’s a great spot for the adults during play dates to take a break, for jb and I to drink our morning coffee, or for dinner with friends over … all while the kids are entertained.  I also wanted to show a few pictures of the playhouse that came with the house since a few people have asked.  The previous owners won it at an auction.  My dad had to redo the floors, and it’s not in the best shape, but the kids love it.  Tuck actually calls it his firehouse now, and keeps his fireman suit there and his firetruck.  It needs a fresh coat of paint for the outside.  I’ll never paint the inside though – we love all things Max around here.

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