Fort Awesome

Yesterday was such a pretty day.  I couldn't wait to get out and work in the sunshine.  The kids and I went for a walk through the woods.  Our dogs led the way...

Image: Whippoorwill Gardens

There is a huge tree that fell last year along the path leaving the enormous root ball standing on end.

Image: Whippoorwill Gardens

We went to explore the root ball and were inspired....

We gathered some rocks and placed them in the red clay mud walls around the fort and stacked some in one corner for a seat.

Image: Whippoorwill Gardens

Image: Whippoorwill Gardens

I love places to play in the dirt! And this fort does not disappoint. The exposed roots make endless cracks and crevices to hunt for bugs or hide treasures.
But it needed more.....

We found some old fence wood in a scrap pile, painted it white, and then Wyatt wrote the name of his fort on the signs. I fastened the signs with craft wire and some rope from the garage, knotted the ends and hung it on the exposed roots.

So the fort had a place to sit, dirt to play in, a name and a sign.
But it needed more....

I had just pulled down a solar rope light from around the campfire.  So we loosely hung it on the roots.

Image: Whippoorwill Gardens

And that is how we created Fort Awesome(ness)...Wyatt ran out of room on the sign. 

 I can't wait to see what adventures the kids have growing up on the farm.  I hope he collects things he finds in the woods, daydreams while he watches fireflies, and pretends to be a swashbuckling pirate for many hours in his fort.  Or whatever just as long as he is having fun and building memories.