What to do about the leaves….rake them? Bag
them? Ignore them? Leaves are one of the best things about fall. It’s much
easier for me to say that now than when I was a kid. I grew up in dense woods
with old growth trees that towered over our world. Every fall my parents expected my
brothers and I to help rake up the multitude of leaves that
rained down on our yard from those great giants. I don’t know how they did
this, I can barely get my own kids to clean up their rooms. The leaf pile in
the back of our property was the size of a small house. Somehow the fun we had
jumping in it never equaled the misery of spending your entire Saturday dragging sheets full of leaves to the pile.
My own kids love leaves. When the leaves finally fall from the woods that skirt our property, it’s time for “leaf sledding”! You’ve never heard of this sport? C’mon over, my kids would gladly introduce you to it. It helps that our entire property is a hill. There is virtually no level ground, which has forced me to be a creative gardener and eliminates the possibility of us ever renting a moonbounce, but as far as sledding goes – it’s a three season sport at our house. In the winter it’s the traditional snow sledding, helmet required because any piece of plastic carrying a small child can reach speeds well over the “oh-my-gosh-she’s-going-to-kill-herself” level. Come summer, we have the longest, fastest water slide in town. But in the fall it’s “leaf sledding” season.
My own kids love leaves. When the leaves finally fall from the woods that skirt our property, it’s time for “leaf sledding”! You’ve never heard of this sport? C’mon over, my kids would gladly introduce you to it. It helps that our entire property is a hill. There is virtually no level ground, which has forced me to be a creative gardener and eliminates the possibility of us ever renting a moonbounce, but as far as sledding goes – it’s a three season sport at our house. In the winter it’s the traditional snow sledding, helmet required because any piece of plastic carrying a small child can reach speeds well over the “oh-my-gosh-she’s-going-to-kill-herself” level. Come summer, we have the longest, fastest water slide in town. But in the fall it’s “leaf sledding” season.
My husband uses the mower to maneuver
all the leaves into a single thick lane
for sledding. Any plastic tobagon or saucer will do. It’s a great
way to spend a fall afternoon - great exercise for the kids and hours of
entertainment. My kids like to sled down while holding a small video recorder
in front of them and when they finally wear out and come inside from all the
sledding, they watch these videos endlessly. The results are pretty funny,
especially when a cat, chicken, sibling, or unsuspecting adult gets in their
path.
