Toby vs. the Yard

We are working to figure out ways that Toe can help in the yard without "gardening." I still need to talk to our nurse at OHSU, but I am pretty sure that the things we need to avoid are contact with soil (digging and weeding) and standing water (watering, water features). Ben said Toe could mow the lawn and pick cherries, apples, and some veggies (although I'd guess pulling carrots is out)..

So far we have tried mowing, pruning, and clipping. Toe love shears and was a *great* help cutting back one of our trees and then cutting the branches into pieces. Fortunately we have some unwanted bamboo in the back that will keep him busy for summers to come (bamboo is pretty invasive and keeps coming back, quickly). 

Toe and the saw

A different angle shows that Mom is a little cautious....

 The lawn is a triple challenge. Pushing a mower is difficult when you are four feet tall. Getting used to a mower with a cord is also trick. In addition, our lawn is sloped and very uneven. There are lots of pits to navigate and/or muscle through, made even more difficult by the angle at which you push the mower. However, Toe is game. We have a deal. He mows as much as he wants, and then I will  do the rest.

 This makes for much hilarity. I try not to laugh as he works, because he is so determined and wants this so badly. Sometimes we mow together, which means he holds down the button that keeps the mower on and I mow one-handed. Have I mentioned that my arms are getting quite a work out?

We will see how the spring develops....