What is it about kids and trees? My kids are drawn to trees, compelled to try to climb them (especially the really interesting looking ones). Sometimes they can do it. Sometimes they need a bit of help. And sometimes they just need to realize their own limitations.

Recently the kids and I went to my parents' house for a visit in the “country.” My parents have a little bit of land with a lot of forest (sometimes “enchanted”) around.

There's a place along the side of the property where a big dead tree lies, and my kids always have to walk across it. In the back are some remains of a tree, killed by lightning and then cut down, which my children must climb on, hopping from one piece to another.

This last time at my parents' house, my kids discovered some “trees” just for them... actually very large shrubs that have been pruned up into twisted tree form. They are the perfect size and shapes for my kids to climb. Naturally, they divvied them up amongst themselves, and now have a new hideout.

I remember my own fascination with trees as a kid. Maybe it's genetic. Or maybe it's just kids.