It takes a village.....

..... to move a mountain of dirt.

We are currently in the process of 'renovating' our backyard.  I know, I know.... how can one possibly renovate a backyard.  Well, here's how:

First you dig out a circular patch of grass 14 feet in diameter so your new trampoline can be level (and safe) for the kidlets.

Next you hire someone to rip out your crappy, un-even, death-trap concrete pad, and have them dig out a patch that's nearly three times as large so you can pour a brand spanking, new concrete pad (complete with stamped border and basketball pole).

Then you tell the contractor to take all the dirt and grass they've pulled up to prep the pad, and put it in a pile so we can use it to level the yard so we can install a brand-spankin' new playset for the under 5-feet tall set.

So my friends,  that is how you renovate a backyard (and simultaneously hemorrhage money!).

Anyhow, Quinn is sleeping at a friends house tonight, and the girls fell asleep early, so it was just Chris, Aidan and I outside.  I got the brilliant idea of moving the big pile of dirt and grass so we could start leveling the yard where the playset is going to go.  So Chris and I started on the pile.  Well, then our neighbours came out and started chatting, and we were quickly joined by our backyard neighbours as well. 


Next thing you know, they all went and grabbed their shovels and started helping us with the dirt.  We kept telling them not to worry about it, and that we could do it ourselves but they insisted. 

Seriously, people - I can't make this sort of thing up!!

An hour and a half later (and a couple of beers and a pizza thrown in) we moved a mound of dirt and grass around, had a great time and managed to get inside by 9:40 p.m. right before the rain started.

Aidan was busy playing with all their kids, and at one point one of the boys said: "what is it, like midnight or something?"  (it was actually only 9:00!!) 


I can't tell you how awesome and unbelievable it is to have such wonderful neighbours. I mean seriously, how many people would give up their Friday night (on a long weekend none-the-less!) to help move dirt and grass?!?!