swimming pools

• This modern Barcelona home is absolutely elegant — Houzz
• You won't believe what this house was built from! — Country Living
• These blue rooms offer a compelling palette choice — Real Simple
• This San Juan Islands home is calling our name — Curbed
• We can't decide on our favorite pool in this roundup. Can you? — Stylelist Home
• Currently coveting: the Ovis lounger — Remodelista

• Every view in this CA house is incredible. — California Home + Design
• Try the Real Simple app guide for a gift for Dad. — Real Simple
• These infinity pools are on our must-have list! — Houzz
• Time for a girl cave? We think so. — Stylelist Home
• You'll flip for these surrealist patterns. — EcoSalon
• This Summer, embrace color with this inspiration. — Country Living

• Take a virtual dip in these divine swimming pools. — Elle Decor
• Summer trend alert: lemon and raspberry paint shades. — Houzz
• Not a fan of pink and yellow? Try green instead. — House Beautiful
• Do you agree that these housewares are going extinct? — Stylelist Home
• An authentic Balinese pavilion is moved to New York. — Curbed
• You won't believe what this decor is crafted from! — EcoSalon

Often times when the sun is shining, the last place I want to be is inside a gym. I'd much rather go for a run, a bike ride, or strap on my rollerblades. Another option? Utilizing the great fitness amenities my neighborhood has to offer: public tennis courts, calorie-burning steps, swimming pools, football stadium stands, and even a public track to use when training for marathons.

Here's how to find some inexpensive fitness gems in your neighborhood:

• Swimmer's Guide: Use this amazing website to access an entire database of public pools across the US (and the rest of the world!). Learn whether pools are indoor or outdoor, their length, and if they have special rates.
• Find a Court: Just enter your zip code and Find a Court will pull up a list of all the tennis courts in your area. You'll be able to see how many courts the facility has, whether there are lights or a pro shop, and if it's a seasonal court.
• World Stadiums: Search your city to see if there are any stadiums where you could either use the track for running, or the bleachers for climbing or running up.

Source: Flickr User Dru Bloomfield

Everybody in the pool! With the long weekend, community water holes, as well as backyard swimming pools are open for business and kids are grabbing their goggles and getting ready to dive in. As part of your Summer pool prep, stock up on some new pool-friendly toys and games that will entertain tots long after their marathon cannonball contest.

Toss Across Splash ($40) brings tic-tac-toe into the water with a floating game board filled with Xs and Os. Players toss beanbags at the board to turn over the targets and reveal the Xs and Os. The first one to get three across, wins. The game, designed for kids 8 years old and above, involves strategy, skill, and physical activity as the players dive after the beanbags. Tic-tac-toe has never been so wet, or so much fun! For more pool-worthy picks, check out the items below.

Any child of the 80s will have a hard time forgetting the Baby Ruth scene from Caddyshack. But contrary to Bill Murray's declaration, it is a big deal when a tot poops in a pool. The dark matter can spread bacteria like E. Coli and Hepatitis A, parasites or other germs. A thick unbroken stool is often better than a diarrhea type disaster, but in either instance, moms should notify other swimmers and the lifeguard. Unfortunately everyone will have to get out of the water while the matter is removed and chlorine levels are tested and adjusted but at least the chances of infecting others is decreased.

An embarrassing experience for the child and her mother, some moms choose to take their tyke and run, never notifying the pool keeper of the accident. Others put the alert out and cause everyone to get out for at least a small break, if not longer. What would you do if your babe went number two in the pool?
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