JT has been gone this week and our schedule has gotten a little off.  Especially Tuesday night.  I had a late meeting and the kids and I didn't get to be until after midnight.  Brent was happy he went to bed in the morning.  Stuff like this doesn't happen often.  So of course my plan was to let them sleep in, despite what would happen to our schedule the next day.  I got up first and headed outside with a cup of coffee to let the Nuggets work on the grass that has been springing up in our back yard.

Slowly the kids joined me; Callie first and then Brent.   

It was lovely.  It is mornings like this that I feel so blessed to homeschool my kids.  What could have been a hectic morning, full of rushing and tired kids, turned out to be the best morning of the week.  Not only that, but everything that was needing our attention that day got it, just a little bit later.  Plus, we saw beauty in an unexpected place, our own backyard.

 

Yesterday the guys spent some more time outside removing things from the yard.  Three cacti came out and a large agave was trimmed.  The gravel area will eventually hold the raised garden beds. We have a definite timetable, the seedlings are already growing inside!

Brent looks scarred, but I think that is just because he just witnessed me pulling cactus spines out of his Dad's leg.  He's just concerned.

It looks so open after the removal of the cacti.  On the far left was a lilac bush that was taken out last Wednesday.  Callie was a little bummed, but we will be planting lots of cutting flowers.  

We are planning to add a blueberry bush to our backyard.  I am currently in love with this jam we get that is imported from France.  My two favorite flavors are cherry and blueberry.  They taste nothing like Smuckers,  no offense.  After reading the Omnivore's Dilemma the kids are too educated to not point out to me the food miles involved.  So say hello to the blueberry bush and homemade jam, yum. There is an old, unproductive bush that is in the perfect spot, or was in the perfect spot.  JT and Brent spent the morning tearing it out.  Lots of work.  The Nuggets love it.  I think Brent loved getting dirty.