The Big Dig 2011

So...it's been a while since I've updated the family journal.  It's not that we haven't had anything going on.  Au contraire.  So far I've missed a home improvement entry, a birthday entry, a Thanksgiving program entry, and a major holiday entry.  Why?  Well, the whole "3 kids in 3 different schools" thing has turned out to be a bit bonkers.  Definitely worth the sacrifices -- not complaining -- just bonkers.  (Please, please...pray with us that Adam will get  into Andrew's school next year.) 

Furthermore, we're deep in the heart of birthday/big holiday season around here.  Always a crazy time.  And I am even behind in that because...

Finally, after a year of being completely confounded by all the little loops that previously all looked exactly the same and HOW CAN ANYONE POSSIBLY DO THIS?, I have finally unlocked the secret to crochet.  And my inner 80-year-old is having a field day. She refuses to put down the yarn and crochet hook and get off the couch to do anything.  She does not care if the family blog is updated or not.  She can wait till another time to do frivolous things like "laundry" and "dusting."  She doesn't even really care if the kids' faces *might* look a little dirty.  But I've had a stern talk with her about putting down her crochet and moving over to make room for 37-year-old mommy.  So, before I go give Libby's face a quick swipe with a soapy washcloth, I give you "The Big Dig 2011."

For quite some time Steve has been wanting to add a little brick walkway up the side of the drive.  After thoroughly researching the project, it was time to begin.  He began by digging out the area to be paved.  Soon, he was joined by little helpers.  Lots of little helpers. At one point he had six boys from our street out helping him dig.  Sadly, the only picture I got of this was on my phone, and I am too technologically impaired to figure out how to upload it.  But here are Steve and our boys toward the end of Phase Dig:

After laying gravel and sand and tamping, smoothing, and leveling the whole mess, it was time to lay the bricks:

A little more sand, and voila! The finished product:

The boys could not have been more thrilled to be part of the project, and we could not be more thrilled that they were actually quite helpful!

Stay tuned for the next installment of Pirates and Petunias, coming soon:  "Andrew's Birthday." 

And somebody, please...hide my yarn bag.