My husband has been gone again.
Since last Sunday.
And when my husband is away I have, admittedly, been known to ‘make an omelette’ or two.
You know what they say about making an omelette.
You have to break some eggs.
My husband isn’t crazy about broken eggs. So when he’s gone, it’s the perfect time for me to tackle some projects that I really want to complete.
Plus, I like to surprise him.
Once, when he was away for a few weeks, I bought an instruction book, a bunch of lumber and built a tree house.
But that was when I was young and, well… young.
Now my ‘projects’ include yard work.
With the help of lots and lots of little people.
Our house is about 20 years old. And with all respect to it’s previous owners, I think it’s been about 19 years since the shrubs have been trimmed.
So we got after it. Well, some of us did.
Others managed to find a stopping place on the way to the brush pile.
While others created a game with the equipment to make it appear as though they were working, even though they were, in fact, not.
But after two and a half hours, I wasn’t moving much faster myself.
Finally we were done.
And a respectable home-grown job, I thought.
The kids, amazingly, came to life when the ice cream and chocolate chips came out.
And a little peanut butter for those few in my brood who like to live on the edge.
Ahhh, what a little ice cream can do for the weary soul.
No more complaining, just lots of happy campers.
And then, the last littlest camper, no longer having to share.
Somehow, hard works gives my kids a real serenity that is so good for them. I guess I could say the same for me.
It was a really good day.
The ice cream definitely helped.
So, my husband comes home today.
Think he’ll notice?
I hope so. Because the outside of the house might look supa-tight. But after six days of solo-parenting four kids with colds, three with stomach issues…
oh, the inside…
Fabulous! I think he'll notice. That little Vivi just melts my heart.
A tree house?! Ok, it's official. I am officially a slacker. When my husband goes on trips I tend to curl up in the corner and suck my thumb hoping that all of these children don't somehow figure out a way to takeover our home. You go girl, the yard looks fantastic!
Dude, I managed to keep it together until you actually SAID the words, "supa-tight".
I am SO using that one.
Like isn't my outfit "supa-tight" today?
What about my "supa-tight" new pimped out ride?
Oh, man.
Anyways, I think you & the kiddos did a fantastic job! MY man, too, was gone a week or so ago & I thought I'd surprise him by hauling some dirt from the dirt pile out back tot he landscaping project out front. Well, about 2 loads into it, i found out how HARD it was & realized that he was going to have to settle for my good intentions.
After all, there was no one with ice-cream there to persuade me….
First, the yard looks GREAT!
Second, the photos of your little helpers "helping" are just too cute. I love help like that!
Very nice job! Your yard looks fabulous!
It looks AWESOME! Good job!
Looks GORGEOUS!!! Great job! Brought back memories when we owned our house…although, I never quite managed to tame all of the foliage…so we moved into the city! ha!
By the way…couldn't help noticing how the very first photo has the exact colors of your sidebar on the left of your site…nice coordination! 😉
WOW! Gorgeous photos of your incredible work and precious helpers! Makes me miss the days of having a yard!
Love & Blessings from Hong Kong,
Kim
WOW! I wanna know how you do it???? I want to be a fly on your wall for a few days. Your yard looks great and your kids are just so incredibly cute.
Amy
PS I enjoy your blog so much
My husband is away right now too and I'm exactly the same way. I like to surprise him when he gets back. I've redecorated our bedroom, planted trees, painted rooms, but NEVER built a treehouse. That's impressive!
It looks like you have a lovely yard. We also have a white house with black shutters. You're helpers are too cute!
Bravo brave lady. Yeah….I think he'll notice.
It looks wonderful!!! And the icecream…well, makes it all perfect.
Looks like you have beautiful landscaping!
Did they finish all the ice cream? (Something tells me they did)
Amazing job!
It might even look better than that ice cream. Which is saying something…
As my Chris would say, "He better notice!" LOL!!
It looks fabulous! 🙂 I think I twinned your week with kids with colds and stomach issues. What's up with that? Must be a Mass. thing. Glad the sun is out today–colds and tummy issues seem less horrible when the sun is shining. 🙂
A wonderful project of the heart, Stefanie. And I want to thank you so much for you swift and heartfelt words. It means a lot to me. Love to you and your beautiful family.
Did he notice???
You built a treehouse?! I bow down to you!