Backyard project

The backyard project is finally done! Well, I guess there's still stuff to do, like a new fence (the bank account will need to recover a bit for that), but the majority of it is done.

So ... the before pictures:

By the way, the lawn wasn't always in THIS bad of shape (although it was installed improperly and so always had been lumpy, etc.). I decided to let it die since I was getting rid of it. Oh, and the chairs are lined up this way because this is the way we play train (or cars, as the case may be).

And, once again, the infamous "Swing House" before it got a new life as a playhouse. Pretty ugly, wasn't it? (Sorry, Brock - but it's true.)

And the new ...

Including the new playhouse, proving once again that ugly ducklings do indeed grow into beautiful swans.

Of course, I personally did very little of this work. I seldom pull the gender card as a reason I can't or won't do something ... but of late I am pulling the age card. As in, I have worked too hard and too long to be doing this too. But with the help of a couple of professionals, and ESPECIALLY with the help of my darling daughter Stephanie (plus Alex to help us with 5 TONS of rocks), I finally have the low-maintenance, water conserving backyard oasis I dreamed of.