For the last few weekends, we’ve been working hard in our front and back yards. We resigned ourselves to the fact that we’d need to put a lot of muscle into cleaning them up before planting anything, and we’ve made sure to include the boys. Little by little, we’re making improvements.

Last weekend we tackled a small landscaped area in the front yard. The stones needed rebuilding and the bushes needed trimming. Underneath all the muck we found old hangers, broken glass, candy wrappers and small toys. It’s a reminder that this house was unloved before we arrived.

Here is the space in the middle of our rebuilding.

Our first born is a eager worker. He loves to be outside, but more importantly he loves to feel needed. He likes to help and be told he’s helpful. To be given an important job means HE is important, so there’s been little complaining from Jeremy about all of this yard work. Sure, he gets hot and tired and needs a break, but Jeremy is always ready the next weekend for more.

As for Jack, oh where to begin? You’d think Jackson is athletically inclined and Samson strong when you see his long, lean muscular physique, but I’ve decided that’s a fluke. (For now, anyway.) We call him Mr. Lazy Bones because after lifting one stone, he dramatically puts his arm to his forehead and sighs… I’m so tired. I need a break. Back to work, we say, and he’ll flail around until finally picking up another stone. What would he rather be doing? Take a guess. Cause I caught him in the act:

Mr. Lazy Bones, a.k.a. Batman, suddenly had the urge to read. And then Sir required a beverage.