Back to Nature?

This is the newest addition to our backyard. It's hard to see in this picture, but it's a lean-to fort made of dried tree branches. Owen and Miles made it with Rhonda's help. Owen calls it "Nature Walk" or "Secret Hideout". It has seating for four, on tree stumps leftover from the fallen tree. There is a welcome stone and a small bell for visitors to ring before entering.

One afternoon I was sitting in it with the boys relishing the fact that we were engaging in old-fashioned outdoor summer fun. We were talking about burying secret treasure, drawing treasure maps and making brooms out of small branches. Then Owen said; "Maybe we can get a waterproof Wii so we can play Super Mario out here".