Happy birthday Joel

I was washing dishes one day and looking out at the pond.
As I was day dreaming I saw our daughter running after this large gray barrel, which was bouncing off trees and heading straight for the pond.
It finally hit a tree and stayed put.
As I watched she unscrewed the lid and out pops her brother, our oldest child.
They were laughing and rolling on the ground and the next thing I heard was,"let's do it again!"
Hummmmm- when do you step in and say no.
I just let them roll it up the hill and put each other inside and roll it down the hill.
This became a favorite game.
Our oldest loved anything fast.
By the time he was three the side boards were off the little red wagon and he would pull it over to the top of the hill and jump on.
Again , the pond is off to the right at the bottom of the hill.
Raising kids is not for the weak.
There are moments you have to make major decisions.
When to say no and when to let go.
I wanted my kids to be kids.
They spent more time outside with the pigs and goats, frogs, toads, lizards, fish and yes, even snakes.
( good trick getting your sister to hold the jar...while you herded the snake in...)

Raising my two was fun.
Plain and simple it was fun and I would do it again!

Last year you married a great girl.
Enjoy your life- take off the side boards and have some fun!

Happy Birthday- I love you.
Mom

and Dad!