Our Very Own Giving Tree.....

I have meant to write a post about the best thing about our

yard for a really long time.

There are not many highlights about our yard.

It is pretty small, fairly weedy, 

there are not many stand out points, 

EXCEPT for one thing:

We have the best tree in the world in our yard.

(IMO)

It has provided countless hours of entertainment and joy for 

our children and their visiting friends.

I think that is why I love it so much.

We don't have a great yard to begin with.

We don't have a basket ball hoop or pool.

But we have this guy.....Our TREE.

It's one of the things that makes our place somewhere special to live,

and a fun place to visit.

(we also have ping pong, and that is a big draw as well!)

Our tree has provided

shade while visiting with neighbors in the nearly unbearable Florida heat.

Shared it's 

perfect branches for party pinatas.

It is a great hiding spot to spy from.

 It's a fun way to surprise dad when he pulls in from work.

Over the last 13 years we have really only had it cut, and thinned out a bit

one time.  It was way over due, and time again a few weeks ago.

Not surprising, 

Kev and I had differing opinions on how to go about it.

He wanted it off the house......this we agreed on.

He also wanted it off the drive way, so that the birds would quit pooping

on our vehicles.

Well hold on.....wait a minute!

My vision and goal is to have the two oak trees on either side of our driveway 

meet in an ark over the parked cars one day. 

NO WAY 

are we chopping it back so harshly.

He wanted to have it "balled"and manicured.

Say again?

This is a wild, natural OAK TREE sweetie.

Not some Karate Kid Bonsai tree we need to shape and restrict.

P l e a s e .

We did end up compromising a bit.  

But not before the poor kid planning to do the trimming asked 

if we'd like him to come back later once we came together

on our tree cutting wishes.

I made the mistake of not getting before and after pictures.....yet again.

: (

But suffice it to say, it looks a bit bare and hacked up.

However, I know that 

just like a new bang trim, it will grow into its cut.

If you look closely you can see K, M and Charley waving in the 

distance.

Our tree looks different, but it is still with us.

Strong, stable, firm, and always giving what it has to our family.

I love it.

We love it.

Bird mess or not....this tree is practically part of the family.

This is my favorite picture of this old girl.....

I love all the different ropes, and knots.

We have had many a broken rope.

Lots of wind knocked out, and fairly rough landings,

but they always go back for more.

In fact Charley was the one that originally put up the rope ladder.

I made this short little video....it does make me a little sad.

Somehow I didn't capture the older two boys enjoying our tree when I had

the chance....