Results

If you're reading this post, you may be well aware (perhaps more aware than you'd ever hoped considering how much I have talked about it over the last year and in recent weeks) that we took on a large landscaping project over the last two weekends.  The grand plan was to just start over in the front yard.

If you would just like to get to the point since I may have already worn out my welcome on this topic, here's the BEFORE picture and two pictures down is the AFTER picture.  

BEFORE

Those crazy tree things by the (left) door were the BIGGEST PAIN EVER to get out.  I watched a video on You Tube prior about how to take out a small tree from your yard and the guy claimed it took him 25 minutes.  Three hours later crazy tree #1 was out and neighbors were walking by with pitiful looks on their faces or stopping by to offer their array of sharp tools to use for cutting the never-ending roots.  We showed no mercy to the second tree/bush and it was down in an hour. 
 

  
Jacob & Owen were always around to help dig, plant, back fill, water, etc.  And to drive me crazy ("Gardening isn't fun, mom"; "Why are you filling in the hole I was jumping in?"; "Where did my dirt mountain go?"; "I'll just pick up this sharp tool or this one") in the midst of the physical exhaustion, pain and impatience(?) that came with completing this project over four days.  Now, drum roll...

AFTER

 

Two trees gone, 4 shrubs moved, 13 new shrubs planted, 100 tulip bulbs planted.  Lower back pain, hand muscles sore (I didn't realize I had so many muscles in my hand), arm muscles sore, leg muscles sore.

Welcome

To the left

 To the right

I am so glad to say we are DONE!  Make sure to notice when you come to visit next. Thanks.

Fenwick 2012

Here are pictures from our beach trip to Fenwick Island I've been meaning to post.  We had such fun spending time with Nana, Papa, Aunt Wendy, Uncle Dave, Avery, Aunt Jaime, Uncle Jared, Heath, Olivia and Laila.  Great memories - playing in the ocean and sand, going on the rides at Funland, sloooooooooooow mini-golf games, celebrating Jacob's 4th birthday, getting to hang out with the twins and seeing how much they've grown, eating lots of dessert, and getting all sorts of attention from Nana and Papa (well, everyone really).  Thanks for a fantastic vacation!   

 

 

 

  

  

First Days of Preschool

Big year with both boys heading to preschool.  Jacob goes five days a week and Owen goes two.  It will be interesting to see how they process this difference in schedules.  Owen carried his school bag with him every morning this week when we dropped Jacob off at his class, only to walk back to the car with it afterwards.  Until, finally today he actually got to hang the bag up on his own hook and go to his own classroom and meet his own teacher for his first day.  He just walked right in and I saw him again an hour later and he just walked right out like "it ain't no big thang mom."  

Never one to disappoint, Jacob had a memorable start to his school year - I walked into his classroom a little early to tell his teacher he was a bit of a mess and would she still allow him to come that day?  She assumed I meant emotionally because he was a bit clingy at first, but upon closer look she saw he had a giant rash (NOT CONTAGIOUS!) all over his face, eyes, neck, and arms which developed over the weekend (source:  eczema outbreak mixed with allergic reaction to something else (?) - lovely).  Then, I explained that the day before he had jumped from one of the top stairs down to the floor in our basement.  He landed on his back, gave me a heart attack, almost bought himself a trip to the ER, and woke up quite sore the next day - which happened to be the first day of preschool, you know where they constantly sit on the floor and have to get up on their own, jump and run around on the playground, etc.  Just basic preschool activities.  Let's just say he was quite a sight.  

So the verdict?  THEY LET HIM STAY!  Yay!  

Update:  After a rigorous daily skin regimen this week, the rash/eczema are almost clear and he barely mentions his back anymore.