It is a plan that has been in the works for some time now, and My Farmer brought it to fruition yesterday. 

Lessons on the throttle.

The unused, broken-down mower in the back of a shed was pulled out, the tires fixed or replaced, repairs and tinkering done, fueling and cleaning took place, a new battery had to be purchased.  And now, two of the happiest boys on earth live here at my house.

They hosed it down and toweled it off.

They spent every second for the rest of the day, hitched up to my garden/yard wagon, hauling sticks to the burn pile.  We’ve been doing a lot of very aggressive pruning this spring, so there were a multitude of sticks.  They took turns with nary a squabble and gave their little sister a ride in the wagon whenever she asked.  Before you knew it she was picking up sticks too, enjoying the ride out to the burn pile in the pasture to help drop off the load.

I love because, of course, it just can’t go fast.  So even though I am certain an accident is imminent at some point, it is unlikely to involve a trip to the emergency room.  The blades were removed, leaving only the fact that it is self-propelled as a risk.  They love it because it allows them to feel free, to contribute in large ways to the yard work our family needs to undertake, to have ownership, and to DRIVE!