A new driveway and the start of school

Here’s the old driveway that Ken’s been wanting to replace almost since we moved into this house.  We knew it was really time when the snow melted this spring and half the drive was in the lawn from shoveling snow off of it.Ken had the camera today and took some 84 pictures of this process (and you thought I was a shutter-bug!!)  Here’s one cool sequence he captured. It took about 4 loads of dumping to get rid of all that concrete.  Abbie was the first one who got to ride in the dump truck to the dump site.Almost done with the tearing out…Now for some fun in the dirt!!  I think Mark and Spencer brought out every car they own.  There were so many cool tracks to play in.Before the bobcat went home the kids somehow convinced Ken that they should be able to  take it for a spin.  I was totally convinced that they would knock over our house…but it survived unharmed.  Abbie was the first lucky driver.  Raising the bucket was a favorite.Mark was the most adventurous of the older kids backing up, and spinning in a circle.  Thankfully Spencer was happy to ride with dad… I think Ken had quite a bit more fun than he expected because they drove all over the dirt, turning in circles, and making me a little nervous.

Abbie is always so creative when she plays with the Magnetixs.  These are her chicken feet. It was fun to watch here try and get the vertical part to balance and not knock the nearby feet over.Happy smiles for the first day of school.This is how Spencer entertained himself after the kids left for school.  Boy does he miss them during the day.  Daddy brought home these balls from work and Spencer thought they made perfect fly eyes.  He had me take a picture of each way they could be – no words, both words and one of each.Spencer loves to be with Neil and especially loves to give him kisses! Mark’s first soccer game…sorry it’s just been to long to remember any of the details…which is why I need to hurry and get caught up on this thing.A friend and I have been walking each morning and I was telling her about starting a fun “first day of school” treat tradition.  However the first day of school came and went I it just didn’t happen…bless her heart the evening of the second day of school she stopped by with this awesome treat for each of my kids!  What an AWESOME surprise it was.The driveway was poured that weekend…YEAH!!!  It was so weird not having a back step. They left us some big orange cones to block off the driveway so no one would get on it.  My kids thought they were the coolest toy and after the driveway was dry enough to walk on they had cone races up it.  They would put their feet on either side of the cone, then hold tight to the top and hop their way up.

The only problem with our new driveway is I’m not sure the exact place to stop when I’m in Ken’s car…before you stopped when the front left wheel was down in the big hole!!   :o)

On Sunday we had a little popcorn snack in the backyard under the carport.  The neighbors cat, Tiger, joined us.  To get him to stop sniffing our snack I got a small hand of popcorn and set it over to the side for him to sniff.  Not only did he sniff it, but he ATE it!  We were all surprised.  Now, I think, more than ever he thinks he’s our cat.  Little stinker.  Jessie took this picture of him chillin’ with us. Ken got a goodly harvest that day.  Our tomatoes were a little slow coming on this year.David came over and joined us for dinner and helped out with Neil.  (We were waiting for my family from Missouri to arrive because my Grandpa wasn’t doing so well.) I just LOVE all the different plates I’ve been able to get.  It’s just too fun.