Why Mow When You Don't Have To?

Julia gives the back yard a much-needed trim.
Lawn mowing is an art in the YD family. It goes back to when Dad was growing up and his Dad - and a fellow by the name of Joe Fowler in Osawatomie, Kan. - taught him the tricks to cutting grass.

Now, those lessons of lawn mowing are being passed along to the YD girls. It is a tradition in our house that when you get to kindergarten, you become "eligible" to become a full-fledged lawnmower. Until that time, you are only able to watch or travel around on Dad's shoulders (not really, since Grandma YD reads this).

The people in our old neighborhood used to marvel at the sight of Emily pushing a mower that stood nearly as tall as she was. Now she makes quick work of cutting the lawn. For some reason, Lauren is "eligible" to mow but has not entered the mowing fleet.

But Julia has, and she's now duking it out with Emily whenever the grass needs cutting. There's been argument over argument about who gets to cut the front, who gets to cut the back, etc. The one thing they can agree on is that Dad has to start the mower - because they can't pull the cord hard or fast enough.