aww helen i cant imagine how stressful and draining that would be!!! how are you managing??

as for the lawn.. well we have decided against grass and are building a playground area in the backyard with fake turf. the type they use in childcare centers. its bloody expensive though!! but so worth it for our little ones. We are fencing the playground off too so the dogs cant get in there. lots of work to do!!
also paving and a pergola going in this month .. arghhh
and for the front yard we are doing a low maintenance garden with white rocks and a palm tree as a feature. ill have to post pics once its done

yikes so hot today!!