Brennan and Drake were "Very useful engines" yesterday helping with the yard.

My back still hasn't fully recovered from the injuries of a few weeks ago, but the yard is in dire need of work.

So the boys helped with raking the yard and picking out stones in preparation for laying grass seed. Drake and the neighborhood girl across the street that's their friend helped Drake with pulling weed in the yard.

Brennan did most of the raking, and did a great job with lots of vigor! ;-)

Then after helping me with the seeding, weed & feed, and lawn fungus treatments, they were (with great attitudes I might add) happy to start shoveling the several feet deep pile of pine needles under the 40 year old Blue Spruce Pine in our front yard. When we bought the house last year, the branches were all the way to the ground. I trimmed them up (to a bit above my height) to open up the yard and let more light in and such. Well, then I saw all that 40 years of accumulated pine needles. and of course almost no plant can live in that acidic mixture.

However, one of the landscapers suggested Rhododendrons would thrive under the tree. So, the boys completely filled the garden waste can AND an entire wheelbarrow, and they made a fair dent. And they're excited to keep at it even! Only after they were doing it for a while did I mention anything about paying them.

Here's some pics of them working away (click the images to see the larger version of the pics).

Brennan & Drake Shovelling Needles (Posing)

Brennan and Drake shovelling needles working vigorously

Brennan and drake shovelling pine needles, emptying iinto can.