Reminiscing about bygone Summers makes me laugh. Six kids will do that to you and from time to time you find yourself spontaneously combusting into laughter.
When my children ranged from ages 13 to 2 as a way to keep them busy and keep them out of trouble, I let them dig a hole to China in the backyard. We had just recently finished a unit study on China and specifically Hudson Taylor. Learning about Hudson Taylor’s life in China and the 51 years as a missionary had peaked their interests. One of the things that we learned about was the geographic location and gigantic size of China and had even discussed how the United States is the geographic opposite of a portion of China.
That’s where the idea came from…
Regrettably, I did not ask my husband’s permission to start the giant excavation. The first day I allowed my crew to dig they made a lot of progress. My son could stand in the hole up to his waist! To say the least, my better half was a bit startled upon his arrival home! I’ll just say this though, kids can be persuasive. My grubby faced delighted children, greeted him with such enthusiasm that he immediately caved.
There may or may not have been a “what were you thinking!?!” uttered later that evening once the kids were in bed. I felt he really should not have been so surprised as I am generally known to have some outrageously creative ideas.
That’s really how one of my best Summers ever started!
Digging that hole to China did in fact, keep them busy, as well as teach them the power of teamwork within a family. I did have to invest in more sunblock than usual but they were so healthy from the exercise of digging in the fresh air and sunshine that my freckled children never had to go to the doctors that season not even once. Their creativity took new and fascinating turns as the hole to China turned into a lego construction pit, a pond on rainy days, a campsite, a doll vacation spot, the Orgon Trail, and a whole host of other thrilling endeavors. This intensive project provided me with many hours of laughter, valuable discussions with my kids, tons of family fun, daily screen-free activities, and a whole lot of laundry!
So what happened to the hole to China, you might be asking?
We tried to fill it in the best we could late in September. Funny how there wasn’t enough dirt to fill in that huge hole? We did what any family with six creative kids does and made a goldfish pond in our backyard. A few years later we filled in the hole completely and yet there is still a divot when you drive the lawnmower over that exact spot today.
Today my creative children currently range in age from 28-17. One owns her own business, one works for the church in Honduras, one works for a corporation as a computer scientist, one is a missionary to Ireland, another is in college to become a dancer and my youngest will start cosmetology school this Autumn, a dream come true for her.
Am I glad that I allowed my kids to dig a hole to China? ABSOLUTELY!
*This post first appeared on Gathering Around
YOUR TURN…
Comment below, would you ever let your children dig a hole to China?
Blessings,
Dear Jeanelle, I just want to thank you for how a blessing you have been in my life since I started receiving your emails. Every time I read one of your articles/stories, I’m inspired to be a better Christian, wife, and mother. I’m 47 years old, mother of a 2 years and 9 month super active boy and step mom of a 17 year old teenager. I really admire you homeschooling your six children. I thought of homeschooling my son, but I feel he will do better in a school than me teaching him at home. I’m still praying about it. Blessings!
Myrna, thank you so much for your kind note! I am so thankful you are here at The Peaceful Haven and are enjoying the posts! I write for you so thank you for your encouraging words!
That is a cute story, I can remember as a child myself. I was the last of seven kids, and remember one day, my brother and myself got out two shovels and started digging in the yard. My mom asked us what we were doing, and my brother Mark said ” we are digging our way to China” . My mom laughed and said, that it would take more than our two little shovels to get there. So, after digging for a short time we gave up.
Oh my, I LOVE this story, Lisa! Thanks for taking the time to comment!
Super blog! I am loving it!!
Awe, thank you so much, Dominique!
So funny and thanks!
I love a good story too, Diane!