Sticks and Stones

When Kate was smaller she had a fascination with rocks. Whenever we would go for a walk she would pick out a few treasures to take home. We ended up with piles in the backyard and any rocks that made it inside were donated to the local landfill. It really was amazing that we had to pay to have gravel put on the driveway. (Yeah...that was after a lovely neighbor lady up the street stopped by to tell me how awful it looked.)

Fortunately that fascination has passed, but it seems Adam (now of similar age) has found his own interest - sticks. And not any stick, mind you. It must be the correct length and width for the desired intent, whether that be gun or sword. Last week his newest stick was proudly presented as his "straight and noble sword." His stick from Grandma's, a super-something climbing stick is displayed safely on the garage shelf where Mason cannot reach.

Tonight we took a stroll and Adam was on the lookout for sticks. He found one, but after several additional choice ones were passed he insisted we take and extra loop at the end of our walk to recover the missed sticks. It was getting dark by the time we retraced our steps and he looked like he was about to cry when the sticks were not found.

We got home and the one stick he had deemed worthy to carry was quickly deposited in his "secret place." I guess some day I will look in the backyard to find we really do have a wood pile to sustain us in an emergency!