The deck progress is slow. So much of what had to be done early on was rather dull and hard to appreciate.
Last Wednesday Marie stayed home from CBS to help Daddy. Originally we’d intended for Stewart to stay home with him that morning. But Stewart fell apart at the prospect of missing CBS. Nigel chimed in immediately, too. Both boys begged, “Please, oh please, don’t make us miss CBS.” Marie loves CBS, too, but something made her speak up and offer to help her dad.
Their task for the morning was to measure the height at which each post needed to be cut off. They used string and levels and good old Sharpies. John reports she was a really good worker, but of course she did need a rest now and then. Being married to a blogger is rubbing off some; John stopped to get some photos.
That is the hot chocolate he made her in the cup on the left. He’s teaching her well.
Golly. I love love these pictures.
The work continued a little each day. There was SO much earth to be moved. SO.MUCH. That is hardly exciting, but it had to be done. The yard work suited Nigel very well. He couldn’t scurry away from the school table fast enough with each break in his work.
All the kids had to fill up the wheelbarrow over the weekend. They took turns. Even Tabitha did her share.
This is where we are at as of Tuesday at 5:00 P.M. Far from done, but well past 13 sticks in the ground.
It’s coming. Not sure how far it will come before the snow finds us, but John still has 7 vacation days plus an hour or two each evening before it gets too dark to work.
It is looking great! Love the pictures and your family. Linda
It is looking great! Love the pictures and your family. Linda
I can already anticipate next summer's photos. 🙂
I can already anticipate next summer's photos. 🙂
That deck is looking pretty good! What a great opportunity for the kids to do some good hard work and dig in the dirt. 🙂 We really enjoyed our above-ground pool this year, and are making plans for a more permanent solution.
That deck is looking pretty good! What a great opportunity for the kids to do some good hard work and dig in the dirt. 🙂 We really enjoyed our above-ground pool this year, and are making plans for a more permanent solution.