On Maxime's return from camp, I had a surprise for him. Actually, it was for both boys.
Down at the pond, there had never been an embankement of any kind, which made approaching and enjoying it, from a boys' point of view, a bit difficult. The grade was steep, and this makes it tricky to launch little pirate ships, and the like.
So, last year I started grading an embankment, but couldn't finish it when the winter set in. But this year, I was determined to finish it for them. And what better time than when they are away, so they have a surprise upon their return?
Well, Maxime and Gabriel loved it, although Maxime can more easily express his opinion. Gabriel gives his wry smile and starts playing ....
Gabriel, in his broken, little English, with heavy accent: "I like, Papa." This, in a matter of fact tone.
The neat thing is, though, that while the embankment was done when Maxime came home, the sitting area under the ancient oak was not completed (by me and Luc), so I asked Maxime if he wanted to help us. And, well, not only did Maxime help us, but he negotiated the tractor, including the front loader, by himself for the very first time.
Proof of this event below ..... :-)
And here, he is doing the difficult task, for a beginner, of lining up the tow hitch with the trailer:
When we were done. Happiness:
It was hot, so Maxime requested to go swimming:
In the end, when all the grading was done, time to cast the grass seed:
