Monday, May 03, 2010

It's Only the Beginning

Jamie and I have started a yard project that seems to be never-ending. We decided this Spring that we wanted to do some landscaping in our backyard and redo and change somethings in our front yard. The backyard is a blank canvas with lots of potential. Several weeks ago Jamie cut out a two flowerbeds in our backyard; one large one across the back fence and one near are porch. Along with the back we decided that we wanted to make a bed along the front side of the house in the front where there has been rock laid. Jamie has been digging up rock for a long time and sometimes wonders if he has even made a dent. Sometimes we wonder if we have bit off more than we can chew.

The reason why it is taking us a long time to complete these projects is that our weekends are never just devoted to yard work. Jamie plays on a church slow-pitch team and always has two games sometimes during the day on Saturday. Jamie was gone for one weekend and it is never easy for just one of us to go out there especially if we are the ones with the kids. It has been a bit frustrating that the two of us just can't go out and work because there is always interruptions of the boys needing/wanting something or needing help.
The boys absolutely love going outside and playing and we find that if both of the boys are outside they can entertain each other but they do need/want to be wherever you are. They have loved having the dirt to dig and play with. They never last too long (if it is colder out) and they end up needing to come in at a certain point. When they do come in I pretty much have to strip them naked outside and then bring them inside. So again it takes me away from helping with the yard work.

This past weekend Jamie had some time in the morning before we had a birthday party to go to and before his afternoon baseball games. He headed out to get some dirt from the front yard into the backyard beds. Aidan was out with Pa at Tim Horton's so Jaxon wanted to be outside with Daddy. So, we bundled him up and out they went. I had to get myself ready for the day and go grocery shopping before the rest of the day because we knew that it wouldn't get done any other way. So, yet another time that I was unable to help out. I kept trying to remind Jamie that it wasn't for the fact that I didn't want to help out in the yard but there is always something else that seems to need to get done or the kids need to be supervised. Thankfully he has realized this situation and understands that it is difficult for the two of us to be out doing yard work at the same time.

When I was almost ready to head out to do grocery shopping this is how I found 2 out of my 3 boys. Jaxon was trying so hard to help his dad fill the wheelbarrow. It was so cute. However, I did find out later that it was time consuming to have Jaxon out there with him because he had to help carry him up the step into the backyard (because they were slippery) and back down when they would go back to the front yard to get more dirt. So, of course, it was a slower process but I know that Jaxon just loved being out there with his dad.

You can't see all the dirt but we had 10 yards of dirt delivered to our house at the beginning of last week. The boys absolutely loved watching the dump truck dump the dirt. Since it has started to rain this week we have had to keep it covered so that it doesn't just become a mud pit. Who knows how long this pile will sit in our front yard (driveway) as this project seems to take longer than we would like. The hope is that next weekend we will be able to go and get plants and at least get close to finishing the backyard flower beds. Eventually we will need to get bark mulch but that will probably have to wait a bit until the dirt is gone because I am not sure where we would dump the bark mulch. The best part is that it will look great once it is all done. It just might take us to the end of summer for it to be finished. I believe I took before and will definitely take after pictures in hopes to post them when this is all done.

3 comments:

Kate said...

Looks like quite a project! We are anxious to get some work done in the yard, but have had snow recently. Crazy Colorado! I look forward to seeing the 'after' photos! Will you be in MI this summer at all? We're going for the month of July...can't wait!

Beck's Bulletin said...

Cute pictures!! It sure reminded me of another little boy about 30 years ago helping his Daddy too when we first moved here and had to landscape our entire yard....

Nancy said...

OOH lots of mud. Wish we could help. Or send Ben to help.:)May be you should have a dirt moving party. Feed everyone and they will come. Tell them to bring their own shovels and wheelbarrows.
I know it will be beautiful when you get it done.