the more you give

A few weeks ago I looked out over the kitchen sink to see the boys helping Andy rake leaves. They worked and played and eventually cleared the yard.

Many evenings before they come in, there's a round of flashlight tag or hide and seek or capture the flag, and Andy often participates. The boys know he will make time for their games, especially if they help cover patio furniture and collect toys from the lawn.

A tree fell recently and Tolliver had grand plans for building a laser rifle blind / snowball fort. I don't know why I was even surprised to see them out there hauling logs and arranging two by fours to support walls. The fallen tree was removed and two forts erected, smiling faces all around.

I love to watch the way the rubber band of willingness stretches between all the boys, some kind of magical formula of mutual generosity.