Good morning, with a gentle warm breeze and plenty of sunshine, it's hard to believe weather is so good for a public holiday.
Drew, 8 acres of lawn is a lot to keep up with. Having someone you can rely on to cut it while you are away sounds good to me. Can you save a little of the cost by reducing the mown area ? Around here I would be able to let it grow into a wild flower meadow that just gets occasionally cut by the tractor, or by sheep. I would keep a few curved paths mowed around the outside - a mobility scooter race track ! Before long those robot, self guided lawn mowers will surely improve. Either one big mower, or a herd of little robot mowers, constantly nibbling at the grass. You may still have to rescue them when it rains too hard, but you be good at that with all the turtle practice.
Kyle, I wouldn't want to disappoint your daughter, although I'm sure she will be patient once she knows I am trying. Please explain to Finnly that these are wild birds, free to come and go as they please. I always tell them they are welcome here anytime, although they often fly away when they fancy something different to eat, or to go and say hello to their friends and relatives in other parts. They always come back.
I don't have a mega-zoom camera and anyway, just like humans, I think it rude to take a picture of a swan when it doesn't want it taken. So perhaps Finnly could suggest what I should say to the swans before taking out my camera ? Maybe something like "Good morning swans, you are looking very beautiful again today. Please can I take your picture ?" ? I expect most days they will think no and swim away to the other end of the pond, but if I keep politely asking, I am sure they will allow me to eventually.