IT'S GREAT BEING FIVE...

There is something really special about 5 year old little boys. 
They are still so innocent, and they say and do some of the cutest things. 
Yesterday we took a trip to Willow brook Forest Preserve with Joel. This place 
takes in wild animals that have been hurt or abused and nurses them back to health. 
Joel was in prime five year old form.... 

 ME: Heh Joel do you have paws? 
JOEL: Yeah...(giggle) 

JOEL: see how tall I am grandma?  I've grown haven't I mommy? 

JOEL: I can climb this rock Grandma, want to see me? 
ME: Well, it's a pretty big rock and kinda slick, so be careful. 

JOEL: See? 
as he slides down to the ground. 


JOEL: See?

He gives it a run and goes at it from a different direction only to slip down again, but he wasn't deterred only more determined. 
JOEL: I can do it are you watching? 
Get my picture Grandma. 

He slides down again....

and again....

A few more attempts and ....
JOEL:See Grandma I made it to the top. I told you I would. 
ME: Nice job.
JOEL: Yeah, he grins.




JOEL: There are animals.Come on Grandma. 

ME: Joel stay on this side of the fence....

ME: Which eagle do you like best the Bald Eagle or the Golden Eagle? 
JOEL: The brown one. 
ME: Why? 
JOEL: Just do. 

We started down the path, and I rescued him as he was about to go over the edge of the bridge. 

Made my stomach hurt, it was quite a fall.  

ME: Joel take Grandpa's hand and I'll take a nice picture of you two walking together. 

I said take his hand not bite his hand. 

That's better...

Walking through the forest, I was lagging behind. 
JOEL: Heh, Grandma, here take my hand I will help you. 
ME: Thank you Joel, It's pretty and green in here isn't it? 

JOEL: It's creepy Grandma. 
ME: Why do you say that? 
JOEL: Cause there is spiders in here. 
ME: Did you see one? 
JOEL: No, but I dreamed about one once, and he jumped on me, and said I'm going to eat you. 
ME: What did you do? 
JOEL: I told him I was going to go get my daddy. He got scared and went away. 

 JOEL: Here grandma, I picked this for you. 
ME: Probably not a good idea to pick the flowers Joel, but thank you.
I stuffed it in my pocket. 

JOEL: Look at this flower.  It blows in the wind. 
He huffs and puffs until dandelion seeds fly. 
Smiling, he picks another and hands it to me.
JOEL: You try Grandma. 

JOEL: Want to get in the water? 


I am going to miss this little guy. When he comes home again, he will be 8 or 9. 

ME: I love you Joel.

I'll love you when you are 5000 miles away. 

One of the hardest parts of saying goodbye is knowing that the grand kids will get older and bigger until I see them again.