Journal: Easter Sunday, April 16, 2006

On Friday, I spent a few wonderful hours outside with my 2 ½ year old grandson, Noah. When I pulled into the driveway, the little fellow came bounding toward me with a huge smile and wide open arms, and immediately we began helping with the spring yard work that his mom and dad had organized. Noah and I took charge of cleaning out the shed, and we made a fine team. I pulled things out from different areas, and then he wielded a huge (for him) broom to sweep the debris out. He was as industrious and tireless a little laborer as I have ever seen. Next, sort of as a “work break”, we wandered down the trail into the woods, where Noah showed me a big pile of dirt his dad and he had made. We examined some rotten twigs and small, damp leaf piles, looking for signs of insect life, but to no avail. Then we clambered up onto some large boulders and rested for a bit, looking out across the forest like two tired pioneers. A few minutes later, some true excitement was stirred up when Jaimie announced that it was time to scatter grass seed. Noah instantly bounced across the lawn to where his dad had set the seed spreader, and started dancing around the spreader with arms waving. It was obvious that this was one of his favorite activities. Soon he was using his great two-year-old strength to push the spreader across the lawn, apparently straining every muscle in his little body. It was easy to see that he loved doing it, and was proud of his accomplishment. When he was finished, we all gathered for lunch in the kitchen, happily reminiscing about yard work well done.