Camp @ School - Playground Mulch

I was up just ahead of 8am and quickly downstairs to start a pot of coffee. It was cloudy overhead with a forecast calling for partly cloudy skies and a high near 85. Supposed to approach 90 Monday and Tuesday. Played around online for about 45 minutes before being joined by Mindy. She and I sat on the deck enjoying the warm weather and coffee. We weren’t out there longer than 30-40 minutes but the sky transitioned between sunny and mostly cloudy numerous times.

Our plans for the day were still being developed, but Mindy wanted help decorating her school classroom like a campsite. The plan was for all of us to go, me, Jacob, and Bella. She was taking lots of our old camping gear. I, on the other hand, wanted to fetch and spread playground mulch around the treehouse and then also behind the shed. We’d need the Pilot for both tasks.

I headed out for a 3 mile run between 930 &10am. It was very warm and sticky 70 degrees with 80+% humidity. Mindy made everyone breakfast burritos. She got a little upset with me when I suggested that she head to her school alone and I would take care of the mulch. She wanted me to take care of the mulch and then head to her school later that afternoon. We eventually agreed to head to her school first, hoping ot knock out the decorating in about an hour. As it was, she had me in the garage hunting down various items for her camp site display.

She called Bella home around 11am. She came home but brought Makayla with her. She was apparently going with us. I disconnected dad’s trailer from the Pilot after chalking the tires and placing two traffic cones beside it. We loaded all the camp gear then left the house near 1130am. Lindsey was coming over while were away to do laundry.

Mindy had a good plan and put everybody to work in a hurry. My first job was to put up the small dome tent. I hadn’t put it together for a few years. Took twice as long as it should’ve. I remarked how long I’ve had that tent – about 25 years. I’m pretty sure I bought it for about $8. Definitely got my money’s worth out of it. While I put up the tent, Mindy made a camp fire using real wood logs but yellow & orange cellophane for the flames. Jacob, the girls and I made fishing poles out of yard sticks, yarn, and nuts. To make the campsite complete, Mindy set-up camp chairs and unrolled two sleeping bags in the tent. She made a little fishing pool, too.

I don’t think we were there for much more than an hour. Everybody was ready to leave. A couple of Mindy’s teacher pals were there on site too. And because they don’t have A/C in her wing, it was very warm and sticky. But just one more full school year with A/C. They’ll be breaking ground on the new school building on the last day of school next week. I think they’re slated to move in After Xmas break 2015 (1.5 years).
We weren’t home but 10 minutes before I changed gears and left to get the first trailer full of playground mulch. Jacob was supposed to go with me but was being negative about it. Mindy followed me out the door insisting I wait until Jacob had lunch. Not a minute to waste. I left without him.

Ohio Mulch was very busy, but the majority of the traffic and crowd was there to deposit yard waste. Amazing how many cars/trucks come dump their trimmings there. Dad’s trailer will hold about 1.5 cu. Yards of mulch without risking losing any in transport. I’ve learned over the years that I tend to get more by buying one yard at a time. Of course the inconvenience is more trips, but it’s only a couple miles from the house. I don’t really mind. When the kids dumped the first load into the trailer he motioned that that was it – a full yard. Hardly. I gave him a questioning look and without hesitation, he added another half scoop. I headed for home.

Jacob was outside and ready to help move the mulch by the time I was home. Lindsey, he boys and Olivia were there now too. I quickly fetched the tractor and trailer from the shed and headed out front. I had Jacob do all the driving and dumping. And unless I’m mistaken, it was the first time he’s ever driven the tractor by himself. Each big trailer full equals 4-4.5 small trailer loads. I had Jacob using the coal shovel to transfer from one to the other. He’s a lot stronger than he was just a year ago. His help actually made a significant difference. Of course the wee ones were very excited to be out and around the tractor and the trailer. We let them ride in the mulch and then back with it empty. Jacob was very concerned for their safety, several times giving them the dickens for not sitting still. 

As soon as we finished unloading the first trailer load I went for more. I asked Jacob to park the tractor in the back yard then left. Same drill. Paid for just one cu. Yard. Same kid loaded me, only this time I didn’t have to say anything to get the extra dump.

Jacob was waiting and ready when I pulled up. We picked up right where we left off. Jacob pulled the tractor around and I shoveled the first load. Jacob was much more comfortable driving, maneuvering the tractor with the 2nd load. He wasn’t happy about the wee ones hovering around us, but I insisted we tolerate their curiosity and he gave them trailer rides.

After transferring and dumping the entire 2nd load, we spread the several piles over the large play area surrounding the tree house. As expected, we needed a little more to cover the entire area. And I still wanted to put some behind the shed too. I went after load number 3. Same kid loaded me. And just like the two prior loads, he gave me a little extra. Of course, I would argue that he was simply giving me all I paid for.

Jacob helped with only about half the 3rd trailer load. Landon was all about helping, though his help was more of a hindrance to progress. I didn’t mind. The 3rd load was just about perfect. Was able to cover the entire play area, and then provide good cover behind the shed. Not so much an eye sore like it has been years past.

Mindy ran to Sam’s Club earlier to pick-up steaks and potato salad. I suggested we invite the neighbors. Mindy walked over and talked to Chrissy. They were in, and so were the O’Connell’s. We haven’t had an island cookout for a while. As tired as my body was and before heading in for a shower, I planted a few more flowers. At the same time, Landon asked that I turn on the sprinkler in the backyard. I finally succumbed to his constant asking. 

I took a really quick shower around 5-530pm. I think it was 6pm when Mindy asked me to start grilling. The neighbors were grilling their own meat before coming over. Ever since we robbed the ice from the ice maker Saturday evening, our fridge had failed to start making anymore. Too bad, because I wanted a Jack & Coke. Mindy willingly walked next door to borrow some. Thanks dear.

I grilled four steak (2 filets, 2 Ribeyes), and several hot dogs. Didn’t take more than 15 minutes. Our timing was spot on with the neighbors. They walked down a few minutes later.

The women served all the kids before Mindy served me. The salad, steak and potato salad were delicious. Hit the spot. It wasn’t quite as good as Market District prime beef but the price was far cheaper too. We had a good time over dinner, talking about, among other things, the relocated ground hog. After dinner Kenny asked how Wednesday or Thursday sounded for a framing the basement day. Awesome! I couldn’t do Wednesday but could possibly do Thursday. I would either try and work from home or better yet, take the entire day off. Kenny said he would bring his entire crew. Figures we can knock it out in one afternoon. If so, that would be amazing!

The neighbors left by 730p, and soon after the kitchen was cleaned up Mindy and I took the pug on a walk making sure to take a route by the neighbor putting a roof over most of their deck. I was very curious with the design as it’s something we’re considering as well. Probably most surprising is that they’re installing a hipped roof, which by design will bring water down on all sides (I.E. back towards the house). Looks gorgeous but I am not sure it’s the smart way to go.

Back at home we headed to bed early but watched North America, on the Discovery Channel. Bella joined us. She loves watching nature related programming. We watched until I started to dose, It must’ve been around 10pm when Mindy booted Bella from our room. Unfortunately, I woke shortly thereafter and struggled from then on to find my sleep groove. Had a few things on my mind that no matter what I did I couldn’t shake.