FALL TRADITION

Every year when fall approaches we have this little tradition of going to the local farmhand feed store and purchasing 50-70 bales of straw.  Bill loves to take the truck and trailer to town and bring home what will later that day become a "fort" for the kids, or rather an "accident waiting to happen".
 
Sometimes it turns out to be a maze or whatever the kids can conjure up.  They use their imagination and Bill and I sit and watch them go to work.  The straw is theirs to do whatever they desire (except lighting it on fire)!!!!

Here are the kiddos enjoying the straw bales.  And here is the dad that provides all the fun for them! Such a fun and memorable tradition for the fall.

WATER BENDING

I have been meaning to show you the cutest, most imaginative boy of mine.  It's been some time since we were actually at the coast when this happened, but every time I see this little video I melt. I can't quite pinpoint why that is, but I think that it's because I believe that all of us at some point in our lives have wanted some kind of power that just isn't possible for us to own.  As I watched Jacob out there trying and truly believing that he was 'water bending' I, for a moment lived through him. I love the passion that he shows with every swoosh and straightening of his hands and arms.  I think that he actually believed that he was causing the waves to return to their proper place out in the ocean.

I felt that broken heart that moms feel when they see their kids pretending to have a certain 'power' yet knowing that it just isn't possible.  Maybe I am more sensitive about things like that, but if I could, I would absolutely grant my son the power to 'element' bend.

Jake, I love you more than life itself!!!