Leaf Jumping

Eli just had his first chance last week to experience a fall ritual for many children – jumping in leaves! At our old house we had almost zero leaves to rake up so we never did, and at Mom and Dad’s house we don’t usually rake up the leaves (who wants to rake up acres of leaves!? Not me!). But Jon and I decided one day last week after he got home from work to rake up the leaves in the front yard and make a leaf pile for Eli. At first Elijah wasn’t so sure about what he was supposed to do, but with some coaching he learned that he could run through the leaves, throw them at Mom and Dad (without getting told not to throw), and jump in them all he wanted. He would crouch down, grab two handfuls of leaves, yell, “Here I go!,” and then give a big jump into the pile. What fun!!

I think Eli’s favorite thing was when he and Daddy decided to bury Mommy in the leaf pile. And then he decided that climbing on top of Mommy and then jumping off of her was just about the greatest thing ever. Now the leaf pile is Eli’s favorite thing outside, and any time we go away or come home we need at least ten minutes in the leaves. He’ll even bring me the rake from the garage if the pile is getting a little spread out and tell me, “Rake leaf Mommy.” It is so fun to play with Eli and spend some family time just being silly together. I think I just learned why people bother to rake leaves in the first place – it’s worth it just to hear the sound of your child laughing!

Elijah mows the leaves while Mommy rakes them up.Daddy shows Eli the finer points of leaf throwing.

Daddy said it's all right if I throw these . . .
so gotcha Mom!

This is gonna be the big one! Here I go!

Daddy buried me in the leaves!

Elijah can't contain the sheer joy of

standing on top of Mommy's tushie.
Mom's buns make a great jumping platform!
Here comes Super Eli!
Now Eli is standing on Mom's tummy . . .
and jumping! Ouch.

Whatcha doing Mommy?
(that's really what he said as he jumped up and
then landed on me with his face an inch from the camera)

With his long arm span Jon snapped this picture of us.
What a cute couple. Ahh. :)