A Man and His Dirt, and a Girl and Her Worms

So this week has been an extension of Mother's Day, so says my husband.  In all actuality he has found himself a project.  A home improvement project.  He has gotten the bug.

Guess he likes his "finished" projects better than my half finished projects.  Go figure.

Remember these ugly bushes?

They were once in front of my house, until my neighbor gave me the bright idea of pulling them out of the ground with a little chain and my massive SUV... he supplied the chain.  All Bryan could do was watch...

Now he is trying to fix my mess, after a year and a half of no real landscaping in the front, unless you count a "rock garden" a garden (okay okay it was black tarp and landscaping rocks mixed with dirt) he is tired of it.

So on Tuesday Bryan dragged me to Menard's to buy some (a lot) of mulch, edging and landscaping fabric...even after I told him that I had had a headache for the whole day...guess that excuse only works for him.  Needless to say, on Wednesday I came home to this picture.  My man with a shovel and a whole lot of dirt.  I was pleased.

But I thought he needed a little help....

 After showing B how it is done, Emily moved on.  She now has a major fascination with worms.  Her father would dig them up for her and she would go on her merrily way letting us know that they "loved her".  I am not quite sure if I believe her, especially after she cried out "Oh no! Broke-y Head!!!" Yes she decapitated the worm.

Bryan then informed me that one worm does not equal two worms when you split it in half, I honestly thought this was true.  So much for my Retail Merchandising degree... guess his Bio/Chem major trumps me on this topic.

And just to prove his point... He asked me if I beheaded a snake, did two grow back in its place?

I love my husband.

Emily searching for worms.

 So yes, my husband has a project.  And it is amazing when it is his project it moves along much more quickly than mine ever do....

They do look a little sad right now - but they went through a lot... they look much better today!

But just to brag a little on my projects:

Yeah - they are my free craigslist hostas.... looking good right?!?!

More proof that I am on a growing spree...

 Okay, okay I believe most gardeners consider these little purple flowers weeds, but I think they bring a little whimsy to my yard ... dandelions maybe not so much... but my real accomplishment is below:

Yes, that is my Allium or decorative onion plant actually growing!!! In my rock garden no less, a lot of the rocks had already been removed before I took this picture but believe me it was covered!!!

But if you are concerned about my dandelion infestation- don't worry I have a great strategy - just send this little one out!!!

Obviously, again I am one of those parents who is not afraid of a little dirt, and a few worms (that came inside with Emily and now I am not sure where they ended up).  I am just glad she had fun digging in the dirt with her dad.  The naked thing we will have to work on, especially since she likes to stand in our bay window and dance - naked.  Not something we totally want to encourage, naked sure, dancing naked in the window, not so much...


Now Emily and I must get ready, B is picking us up for another trip to Menard's to pick up some more mulch for the other side...

Did I also mention that he pulled down some ugly paneling in our kitchen (which means painting is sooo soo close) and he also pulled out the ugly brass fireplace fixture?  Yeah I have almost broken him - I will have my white brick fireplace sooner than he thinks!

Gold Star for B.  Glad he has finally caught on that projects are fun!