Spring Break - Digging & Dumping

Spring Break - Friday was Digging and Dumping Day

On Friday Dad headed out early to pick up the backhoe that we rented for the day.   The children were also up early excited to be out when Dad got home with the tractor.  They were all out in their pajamas with grins from ear to ear... their McDonald's breakfast was scarfed down quickly so they could be out watching Dad bring the tractor in and start digging.  Dad spent most of the day driving the tractor and commented after getting off and trying to walk that it feels like he has been riding a horse all day.  I was grateful that he was willing to spend so much of his day off digging and dumping.  The kids and I each took a short turn digging and dumping with it.  It took a bit of practice to get it to do just what we wanted it to do.  By the end of the day Dad had it down and could zoom around getting it to go where he wanted it to with ease.  The children were excited when their cousins came over to play.  (After seeing Dad and the tractor and our chicks, chickens, and bunny, Sister commented that we are "bumpkins" and that she would have to let her children come visit their country folk).  The children enjoyed playing outside and inside and kept each other entertained.  It was a great distraction while Dad worked hard.  The tractor is mostly a one man job.  I helped figure out what to dig next or where to put things.  #1 Girl and #2 Boy had the camera for part of the day again and so I will show some of our work through their photos.  I also took some while they were playing.  We got most the digging and dumping done but currently it is just messy looking.  It will be nice when we can get the sprinklers in their spots and covered, the trampoline into it's hole with support, the sand pit framed and filled, and grass growing.  But for one days work we made amazing progress!

Dad starting to dig the trampoline hole

#1 Girl controling the tractor

#2 Boy taking a turn dumping dirt

#4 Boy scooping dirt

#3 Girl digging

#2 Boy swinging

#5 Boy being a little grumpy...but he just looked so cute!

#3 Girl posing

 Dad also made time to play with the kids.  He had them climb in bucket and would carry them around, shake them over the trampoline hole, and then dump them on the ground or trampoline.  They loved it!

Riding in the tractor

Dad driving the girls around

dumping begins...doesn't it look fun!?!

Dumping onto the trampoline was a favorite part!

Dad dumping 5 of them into the trampoline pit...they would squeal with fear and excitement at every jerk.

Kids watching while Dad digs

This was the scene most of the day, Dad digging and kids jumping and playing

#5 Boy loves to carry around Sunny...it is so cute!

#4 Boy loves Sunny too

#2 Boy having another turn digging

Dad offered a ride to #4 Boy and #2 Boy... #4 Boy climbed onto Dad's lap...#2 Boy climbed into the bucket

Dumping #2 Boy

Dad would work with a couple kids on his lap some times too

Dad taking #1 Girl for a ride

Shaking them about

#6 Boy (and #5 Boy) liked to climb on the tractor when it was turned off

#6 Boy started playing "Toddler Golf" with his big ball on the hole that was dug for the sprinkler

By the end of the day we had the gravel gone, the sprinkler trenches mostly dug, and the trampoline pit dug.  It was a good days work!