55 sixty-pound bags of concrete . . . 240 feet of hardiplank siding . . . . a rented electric cement mixer . . . . 1 1/2 days of labor . . . . 4 extra (and very much appreciated) helping, guiding hands . . . and we now have cement mow strips to polish off our planting beds.
It may take them a week (or longer) to completely dry and set in our cold, wet weather. But they are in!!
My parents and Mason arrived on Wednesday afternoon and just left this afternoon. They were here for 3 days to help us with this project (and to see the grand-kids). Actually, we were the "help" as we've never done anything like this and my dad has thousands of feet of mow strip constructing under his belt. I am so so appreciative of him being more than happy & willing to come do this for us. Thanks dad!
Thursday morning the boys got to work bright and early setting the forms while the girls (and Payton) headed into town for some shopping. IKEA, Beehive clothing {where we ran into Rochelle & Jenn -- they saw mom first (I was somewhere else with the kids) & recognized her from her blog & said hi & she thought that was just so much fun}, lunch at Applebee's, and the mall. Ohhhh, I've got some really fun stuff from IKEA to show & tell later. Eek! Just as soon as I get the room re-do all together. :)
We came home to 3/4 of the project finished! Way to go guys! Friday morning they spent about 2 hours on it and it was done. We were really really fortunate to have completely dry weather on Thursday, and mostly dry (just drizzly) weather on Friday. Considering that every day leading up to their visit was wet and it's currently raining cats & dogs, somehow we threaded the needle on that one.
Conner was the water boy.
Mason doing the finishing work.
One of my favorite things about this project (other than allowing us to acquire new skills), was the fact that it gave the boys an opportunity to really work. Payton . . . not so much, he's still little. But Conner was a dang good worker. Shortly after they arrived Mason went outside to begin digging the trenches. Conner was right on his tail with another shovel in hand and followed him across the whole yard, smoothing out Mason's work. He got to one spot that was really difficult and muddy and he yelled towards the house for help. We told him to just go around that part and keep moving. He did not like that idea; he said, "but I don't want to disappoint papa!" He worked really hard and spent the entire day on Thursday alongside the men.
Apparently they went to lunch at Burgerville where Conner stuffed himself. Then on the way to pick up concrete Conner noticed a wrapped pastry on the floor of the truck. He asked if he could have it but they said no because he couldn't even finish his lunch. Then papa made him a deal. If Conner could load one bag of concrete into the back of the truck, then he could have it. Oh, that got Conner going. He tried with all his might and strength to lift that bag into the truck. But his little 50 pound frame was no match for a 60 pound bag of concrete. That boy will do just about anything for food! His ravenous nature drives us crazy (and gets him into trouble). But that's a whole other post . . . .
And where were Payton & Anna during all of this? Running around, watching Bolt, playing with Grammer, and planning a party (hopefully grammer will post pictures about this - it was so cute).
We also ate PW's chocolate sheet cake, Anna & Papa went Easter dress shopping, mom & I assembled IKEA furniture, the boys played Guitar Hero with Uncle Mason, we received the official announcement of Denver's engagement (!), and dad built me a raised garden box. A great visit.
Once again, thanks dad & mason for all your hard work! We could not have done it without you. Really, it would've been impossible. Someone would have ended up with a foot buried in concrete for sure. ;)
