The extra grass

Many landscapers asked, 'And what about this grass over here?' We figured we'd keep it just because what else would be put there. Alex had the great idea of making our own putting green. Basically when your son plays every other sport, why not add one more. We got the putter at Play Again Sports for $5 and the guy cut it down to Alex's size for $4 more. The cups were $10 at AZ Golf Center. So now we have playground equipment grass and then a lawn.

Good Enough

Well, this is as good as it gets for now. As you may have noticed from my last entry, I've been sick and crabby! And tired. I am on the mend, but I couldn't get any further in my yard work this week. I knew it was going to take a lot time to get this perfect so I just need to take each baby step and be happy with it!
We registered Alex for kindergarten. I know some of you moms are sad for the first day of school, but I'm not! Alex is a big boy who needs more interaction than I feel I can give. I don't know what kind of person can home school, but it certainly isn't me! I'm sending him to the school in our neighborhood and he wants to ride the bus. I didn't ask about requesting a teacher. They are doing K assessment the week before school starts and I'm hoping that if he is the brilliant child that I think he is (wink, wink) that the teachers will make the right classroom choice.

rocks

We did shovel a lot of rocks. I was expecting a greater turn out for our shoveling party, but hey, I guess you've got time to blog, not shovel. Special thanks to Julianne, Bruce and Neil for sweating a little (OK, a lot!) on our behalf. Thanks to Uncle Charlie for the pep talk in the middle of our hard day. We can't wait to visit you (and your cool weather) this summer! Thanks to Dan's family for coming and praising our hard work. You would tell us if it was ugly, right?
I still have some flowers to plant and some rocks to organize before I post the after pictures. I am very happy with my yard. Thanks a million, Daniel. You are awesome! He does what I ask without a complaint. What a great hubby. (And he does dishes too, but I have been trying to help with that task, I think he has gone above and beyond in other areas!)

"I sick"

Ryan is sick. He had 102 temp yesterday. I took him to the doctor and he gave Ryan an antibiotic. It seems he has a respiratory infection. Hmmm, could that come from drinking water from our outside water table, or maybe from licking the wheelbarrow? When I woke up Wednesday, I thought it had been a long time since any of us had been sick. That meant someone had to be! I was thinking that he must have just picked up a cold from one of our many visitors last week, but now I don't think so. Just a coincidence I think. Anyway, I'm hoping for a quick recover. We've got rock to shovel!

Summer '08 Phase 1

I found a USB cord that fits my camera (I'd like the real one, but oh well). Also, I had to turn the A/C on when I got home from church. Besides a dinner party, this is the first time this year.
Ok, so here is before, during and after of phase 1.Phase II may begin next weekend; it entails 9 tons of rock, planting, and dripping. We'll also complete the kiddie area. The phase may include excavation if we can get it done at a good price. Once we complete that I'll put on a video walk through so it will be easier to see the whole picture. I love my curbing. It is called taupe and it is a lovely shade of purple. It is going to highlight the purple in my Sedona rock.

Update

Our sod is enclosed in curbing and being sprinkled 3 x's a day. It is a big beautiful square patch. I'll tell ya, it looks sorta of cooky, an island of manicured green surrounded by unorganized shrubbery and wayward weeds; however, when we get the plants and rock in the yard it will be a pleasure to see (since the heat of summer is swooping in fast, we won't get much playing time during daylight hours). I'd love to add a picture or two but because the USB cord is missing, there won't be any new additions. I'm hoping a house elf will pop out in the night, find it and replace it. Perhaps that elf will also take pity on me and will do a little deep cleaning for me.
Our house has been grand central station this week. We've had fun with lots of Alex's friends, landscapers, and today the A/C mechanic. Yep, it has been a costly week too! Baby K was born today; I can't wait to go see that little bundle. I got to see the newest Wright boy today, and he is a beauty! I'm lucky to be surrounded by loving mothers. It helps me try to do better everyday. Oh, and partly why the Lord has sent so many friends in need my way this week is because last week I prayed, "What the heck do I do with Alex now?" I can't wait for daily swimming lessons and summer trips (and kindergarten!)

Thoughts on conference

In college, our Institute director counseled us to go to conference with a question in mind and look for the answer in the talks. I didn't exactly go into the weekend with that mind set, but I had had a question plaguing me as of late and was searching for an answer anywhere. Lo and behold, the first speaker addressed the very issue and immediately I knew what I need to do, (whether it will be easy or not is to be determined). I'm so thankful for continuing revelation and guidance. Of course each conference is special and speaks to me for the things I need help with at that time. If you are in tune, every meeting can be a place for growth. I especially enjoyed brother Packer's talk to us young mothers (Dan said I wasn't young. I threw something at him and told him if I'm under 30, then I'm still young!) It was nice to be appreciated. I think the brethren spend more time reassuring the single and widow mothers and it was nice to know that we too are special, even if our lives are relatively easier than some of our other sisters.
P.S. The yard work starts tomorrow!

Yard

I am in design mode here. I have been working and working on the backyard. We found a guy to get the really hard prep work out of the way. He starts next week sometime. Then we have to plant. Yikes! We are moving existing plants around and getting new ones. So, I'm not blogging much but thought I'd add pictures on the side of before, during, after shots. Our yard is a monsterous thing that will take years to complete but I'm excited to get this party started!