Barton Springs Pool Again

It's been a couple years since we've swam at Barton Springs Pool, so we decided to check it out today to see if it would still be a cool swimming spot to take every one that comes for our family reunion in a few weeks. It only cost $3 per adult and $1 per child to swim - so it's an inexpensive, fun place to go.

Since it's Memorial weekend, it was pretty crowded and we waited about 10 minutes in line to get in. But the fresh spring pool is so huge that it didn't feel crowded in the water.

The water temp is about 71 degrees, so once you hit the water it's quite cool and refreshing in the summer heat.

Poor James was shivering and chattering with his teeth. So I lifted him out of the water a few times to warm back up.

Here are the kids and I back in May 2008 at Barton Springs. You can see the stair hand rail we were standing at here in the photo above (behind us). James was only 1.5 and Madeline was 4.5. They've grown so much! Take a look back at that May 2008 blog post here.

For the most part the kids could touch the bottom but it was slippery with algae on the rock so I still had them wear their floaties/life vest. 

Stephen didn't want to wear his water sock shoes like the kids and I so he slipped and fell totally in the water a few times. The kids thought it was funny. Madeline did some snorkeling to check out what was under the water.

James thought it was hilarious to pick up the algae and pretend he was going to put it on you. Silly boy!

I think James was chasing Madeline here with algae in hand, I love the expression on his face.

It's beautiful outside!

Today Penny Lane had a check up at the vet to receive some booster shots. She now weighs 28.5 pounds. She has all her adult teeth in the front and lost one of her baby canines. She also has grown a new adult coat of fur. She's looking more like a grown up doggy than a puppy! :(

After her appointment we took Penny and the kids to Barton Springs Pool in Austin. It's a natural fed spring pool and it's run off pours down into this river which flows to Lady Bird Lake. In this area people bring their dogs to swim and play fetch in the river. Penny liked the water but we couldn't get her all the way in to swim like the other dogs.

The kids really had a great time. Madeline went all the way across the river with her Daddy, she was very proud of herself. James kept busy being a typical boy, collecting rocks and throwing them in the water.

It was beautiful outside, mid 80's, a little overcast. Perfect river weather!

Can you say 'wet dog'? :)

The lawns here in TX are now requiring watering and turning nice and green. So the kids are taking advantage when the sprinklers come on. Here's Madeline running through our front lawn.

James has no interest in the sprinklers, just blowing his broken whistle.

Penny very curious of the pop up sprinklers, she started biting at them. :)

Ah to be a kid again. :)

Barton Springs & Stubb's

Dad checking out the pool!
Today we took Stephen's parents, Becky and Becca to Barton Springs pool. The water was quite cool. Stephen, Dad, Madeline and Mia were the only ones to get in and swim.

Madeline is beginning to love the water and swimming!


Becca and I only dipping our toes in!


Stephen with the girls, Mia and Madeline.


It was a fun time. Afterwards we took them to a famous Texas BBQ, Stubb's. We ate yummy ribs and pulled pork sandwiches - then we came home to veg! Tomorrow we're taking them down to San Antonio!

Barton Springs Pool

On Stephen's days off we try to get out and venture off to new places. We are certainly fortunate that Hertz pays for our car and gas, so driving somewhere is no worry. Still though we love finding new inexpensive stuff to do with the kids. The other week it was San Marcos River, this week we went to Barton Springs Pool in South Austin!

Barton Springs is a 3 acres in size pool fed from underground springs and on average is about 68 degrees year round. Stephen and Madeline jumped right in, James and I were a bit more hesitant.


James was quite content sitting on the steps with me and watching Daddy and Sissy.


And he found it more fun to play on the stairs rather than in the pool! He paid for it later though with a nasty scrape on his shin. Boys.


We had Madeline wear her life vest as we weren't sure how deep the pool would be. This was the first time however she felt comfortable enough of not holding on to us and swimming on her own! Such a big girl. She takes swim lessons starting the 1st week of June.


I managed to get myself in waist deep, it was still a bit too chilly for James though.


"Hi Daddy!"


Oh and Stephen wanted to make sure that I include a pic of him sporting his black speedos! (bottom right) LOL!!!