One happy kid!

Just as a memory refresher- we had 2 pretty cool dirt bikes that were stolen last summer. It was heartbreaking for Brad (and Dustin). Although we still hope they will be returned some day, we decided to replace at least one of them for Brad this year. Maybe eventually we'll replace the other one so Dustin can ride with them again, but for now - Brad is super happy to have a dirt bike, even if he's riding on his own.




And of course, Zach can ride with him on the little quad we have too. Dustin has mowed out trails in the bush for them, so it's even more than just up and down the driveway!

Rock Garden

Here's a project I've been working on when the days aren't crazy hot (so not a whole lot lately!).
Dustin got the boulder rocks in place (which he dug up from beside the house - the previous owners had tried to make a retaining wall with them, and it just didn't work), then I shoveled ALL the smaller stone by myself (so far) while Dustin has been busy with other projects.
Considering how heavy that stuff is, and how poorly it shovels, I better be just ripped by the time this house is done!

Anyway, we wanted something fairly maintenance free since I dont like detest weeding. We've got ground cloth underneath, and with all the rocks, I'll hopefully only have to spray weeds along the back, and pull a few that grow in around the Hostas and Bleeding Hearts.
All the plants were here before, I dug them up when they were just barely showing and potted them during the weeks while Dustin worked with the machine at clearing all the old bricks, shrubs, and weeds; and then placing the boulders. I'm SO happy they have survived a weird transplant like that! I'm crossing my fingers they'll florish again next summer!

So far I'm really happy with how it's looking. I need to finish the one side yet, and then Dustin will edge it so it's a defined area. We're thinking 6x6s or something alike. We'll see when we get to it.

Before

Nothing like 'quality' tools to help plant in that solid soil! It bent the first time I used it!
I should have known better, it was from Dollarama - it has a pretty floral design and a pink handle! How could I resist?!

After

Cast off!

Who is sick of seeing cast pictures?! (Both my hands are up and waving, just so you know.)

On Thursday of last week, Zach and I went in for another appointment about his cast. The dr felt good about taking it off and replacing it with a removable splint (whoo-hoo!). It's like the very first thing he had from the ER, but it goes on the front of his leg, which means there is no support for the bone; it's just a glorified shin pad really, held on with a tensor band. And it's only for if we're out and about - if he's watching tv, I don't bother putting it on him, nothing will hit his leg hard while he's sitting on the couch.
So, physically, Zach is cast free But mentally, is a little more complicated for him. I guess because his leg is so weak, it feels different and he swears he needs the crutches. Really, if you thought he had little chicken legs before, you wont believe how much "chickenier" his one leg got!. So even though I've explained countless times that the more walking he does, the more normal it will feel again.
But, keep in mind, this is Zach, everything takes time with him when he's got his mind made up about it differntly.
He's quite quick with the crutches, so I think he prefers them just because walking takes so much longer now. And he limps quite badly walking; almost like a hop even.

I am still super excited that the cast is gone though! And like the crutches (which I fought tooth and nail to get him on and was convinced he'd never master, but with time he's become a pro), walking comfortably will happen again slowly for him.

So - no more pictures of Zach in a cast! I'm not even going to post one of the splint because in 2 days it's garbage too.
Life can hopefully start to get back to normal soon:)

Swimming! So glad they'll get to have a 'normal' summer yet! We really noticed that with one brother out of commission, the other was pretty bored too.

My Sun Room

It's been a while since I've posted progress on the house, mainly because we've slowed down a bit and are enjoying the beautiful yard in the nice warm weather now.
Here's a project I did get finished though. And it used absolutely no money. Well, that's not really true, because we had to buy paint at one point, but it was paint we had already, so I didn't buy new.
The couch I got for free, as I did the area rug. The fake tree was something a friend insisted I take (and I'm glad I humored her now, it's perfect in there!) and the coffee table was left here by the previous owner.
So, add some sweat, time, and tears bruises, (I bruise so stinkin' easily and I tripped over the coffee table a bunch of times!) and I have one amazing looking sunroom!

It feels SO much cleaner and usable now!

Before

After