those deer horns

Owen has a new passion.  One of those things that I thought would wear off after a few days but, has only intensified with time.  Here we are into mid January and Owen doesn't talk about anything else besides hunting.

You see, when we were in Wyoming over Christmas, Owen and Bryan started looking at deer horns.  Bryan went out to Gramps's garage and brought in all the deer horns he shot over the years.  Owen was so excited!   So excited, in fact, that it led to us packing them in a box and bringing them home.  Owen was in heaven.  He held his favorite pair in his lap the entire 6 hour drive home.

And, ever since arriving home, this is Owen's passion.  Arranging and rearranging his horns.  Telling "big buck stories" with each one and using them to fight each other.  

There have been days when I can't take it anymore.  All I want to do is pack them into their box and store them on the top shelf in the garage.  At least twice a day, I have to take a deep breath and remember how important this is to Owen.  He lives for these horns.

Even bedtime revolves around hunting because that means that it's time for a "buck story".  After Owen is tucked into bed his dad grabs a set of the horns and tells the hunting story behind them.  As the story unfolds you can just see the sparkle in Owen's eyes.  He listens intently to each word trying to memorize it so that he can retell it the next day.  This is his absolute favorite part of the day and it melts my heart.  It helps me tolerate all those horns around my house and remember how important it is to embrace the heart of a child even if you don't understand it.

 

So,  I will leave you with a picture from today.  Today is Owen's favorite day because it's the day he has a playdate with his best friend, Jake.  Owen was so excited to show Jake his horns.  Jake on the other hand liked playing with the train instead.  It worked out perfect for both of them!