Yard Work, Hard Work

This spring break, we finally got around to doing a project we've meant to do pretty much since we moved in.  We have big beds bordering the front and sides of the house that have wood chips in them. There wasn't any fabric under the chips and they were a giant area that was a huge pain to weed.  We decided to dig up the old chips, lay down fabric, and then replace the chips and add new stuff. It took us a day and a half of hard work, but it was worth it- it looks great now!

EJ does NOT like weeding.  It was funny to see how differently each girl reacted to the hard, long work.  EJ was an effective worker, but kept up a steady stream of complaints.  Birdy was cheerful and talkative, but not very effective :)

Bear did his best to "help" wherever and however he could. When he wasn't helping, he was riding his bike or throwing wood chips.

We planted some bulbs around the tree in the front yard...

Everyone got new gloves for the work.  Look at all those dead cannas. They are gone now and the deck looks awesome!

I like to call this "Captain Cowlick vs. Overgrown Hedges".  Doesn't that tool look fun? I'm not supposed to tell you he cut through our 100ft extension cord with it later (don't worry, it was really more of a nick- he taped it up with electrical tape and it is fine. I think.)

EJ really wanted to use the wheelbarrow to help move the wood chips.  We couldn't have done this project without our awesome home teacher! His FIL hooked us up with a deal on the wood chips AND delivered it in his truck and they both helped us unload and spread it out!

And here is the finished product!  Look Ma! No fountain!  There was a fountain where the "dinosaur rock" is in the picture above (do you see it? The dino head rock?)  It was pretty and all, but since it didn't work, it was really just a mosquito breeding ground.  I had to bleach and then bail out nasty scummy water once a week or more from that thing. SOOO glad it's gone!