Evening in the Back Yard

Tonight was one of those perfect spring evenings where the light is beautiful, the wind is calm, and the temperature is just right. I spent an hour in the backyard pulling weeds in the flower beds while the kids ran around screaming. Sometimes they play happily, sometimes they fight. Today was a fighting day. (Poor Sam, sometimes I really wonder if he's going to grow up traumatized by his older brother.) I kept telling them, "Look! Look at this beautiful backyard you have to play in! You're so lucky!"



They weren't impressed. (I need to take them to Africa so they can learn to appreciate their life.) But I'm impressed! I love this yard!

I can't keep them out of the garden plot,



but once I get the weeds and wood scraps cleaned out and an actual garden planted I think they're old enough to leave it alone for the most part. Or else I'll lock the gate.

In my last yard I chose and planted each tree, shrub, and flower myself, but this yard was built by another gardener. It's kind of fun to discover what is growing in the yard as springtime progresses. A small tree by the garden turns out to be an apple tree, with beautiful blossoms. Maybe it will help us not miss our peach trees so much.