On Heading in One Direction and Devil's Tower

There is nothing that thrills me more than our family headed in one direction; not one off to work, two off to two different schools, and two home with me, but all setting out on a journey. together. It just does a heart good.

So often, even with school and just one activity, creativity gets traded for exhaustion and we miss simple expressions of a well-nurtured heart. Lately I hear a diva attitude ringing over the sweet sounds of Alexa singing and witness tears about whose been in his toys more so than witnessing Robby's natural ability to lead imaginative play. 

However, with all of this beautiful weather, we started our summer season early with a camping trip this past weekend to Devil's Tower and experienced the joy in just being together.

Different Faces of Devil's Tower

The Mile Hike

Junior Ranger Discoveries

Ice Cream Break Back at Camp

  

The Go-to Imaginative World of Star Wars

The Spaceship

Chillin' Over Breakfast in the Camper

Aside of hiking around Devil's Tower, the children played beautifully together. Any chance they got, they would head to the playground, the Star Wars zone; where the oldest looked out for the youngest and these three older ones of a five-year span played with a combined and cooperative imagination. This warms my heart to no end. When they weren't at the park, the older two had a continual game of uno going.

Devil's Tower was pretty cool, as I'm sure the Grand Canyon will be awesome at the end of July for us; yet for them, that little park, where their imaginations soared, was the highlight of the trip. And for us, the destination will always be exciting, interesting, and educational; yet, none-the-less, act as the catalyst for the real value happening, building unadulterated relationship.

When we arrived home on Sunday, the children played one last round of Star Wars before bed and kept their experience alive.

This morning we went in four different directions again. Yet, Alexa sang from the back seat all the way to school.


Counting with Ann today...
family time
sheer excitement
continuous imaginative play
connect four and uno
children looking out for one another
building relationship
building tradition
junior ranger programs
a hopeful trail run around Devil's Tower

Sharing with A Holy Experience, Finding Heaven, The Better Mom, The Wellspring,  A Pause on the Path,  and Raising Arrows