really...who does that?

Entirely too many people, as far as I'm concerned....

Ideas for removing gravel

I inherited some round white quartz stone from the Previous Owners, used to make messy transitions between the lawn and the back door, the deck stairs, etc. When it looks too awful, I pick it out of the grass and rearrange it by hand. Time-consuming. Awkward. Yeah.

Since you're a "mom," perhaps you have a child who'd like to earn some pocket money?

Lee Valley Tools has a "rock rake" which might be helpful, depending on the size of your gravel. karinl recommends it. I have a fall project it might be useful for....
http://www.leevalley.com/en/garden/page.aspx?p=10526&cat=2,44821
Sign up for their catalog while you're there.

You can also invest in a garden sieve, or make one yourself from a wooden frame and a piece of hardware cloth (various ideas online). Here's the one I bought (don't remember from which catalog; not these people):
http://www.groworganic.com/soil-sifter-2-in-1-sieve.html
Most people seem to use these to sift compost; I got my money's worth using mine on two huge piles of ground-up maple stumps and roots mixed with dirt. It's easiest to separate things when the soil is not too moist but not too solid.

If the gravel is really mixed in with the soil, it might make sense to wash the dirt off a shovelful of gravel while it's in the sieve.

Thank you, I never considered or knew there was a rock rake, I think that might be my best bet after I shovel off the top layer of gravel.