Wasteland to Playground

This has been a slow year for yard work at our house.  I can do a lot of things while holding a baby but it seems weeding flower beds is not one of them.  Recently a friend mentioned that he thought our yard looked the best it's ever looked. Personally, I think it's possible that once the weeds get so big they start flowering, any novice gardener would be confused on what 'good' is supposed to look like.  

I've just had to let it go and be OK with not getting the flowerbeds perfect this year (although I mixed up a weed killer composed of a gallon of apple cider vinegar, 1/2 a cup of salt, and a teaspoon of Dawn dish soap, and wouldn't you know it actually kills weeds and stray grass just as dead as Round-Up does.  I've been spraying it everywhere, just for kicks).  

There was one outdoor project we were committed to completing this year: making the wasteland right out our back door more user friendly.  We use the area quite a bit this time of year, but since nothing grows in this spot it's been a challenging place to work with and a bit of an eyesore.

So David whipped out his power tools and we turned our wasteland into a very useful playground.

David built most of it himself with Daphne acting as a helpful contributor. 

oh Brynner

it's important to guard your cheeks from loud noises

I helped by finding free wood on Craigslist.  It's amazing the things people are giving away on there; it's a dream come true for the frugal minded.  I was also helpful by rescuing a cabinet door from our old bathroom and turning it into a chalkboard.  Chalkboard paint and I are Best Friends.  We are beyond tight. 

Anything that is a pretty color in the house was also contributed by me and some spray paint, my other BFF.

With two swings and the playhouse, we're feeling quite good about our new patio area.  Next spring I will get to plant a lot of flower containers to bring in some more color and some softer textures. 

where's Christian?

she's got boys up there already. oh dear