Jumping into Fall Leaves- The MK Way!

Growing up in the northern part of the mid-west of America, I grow up with four seasons. But one thing that is really true about Ghana is that it does not have the four tradition seasons. I think that my wife and children miss fall the most. (This could not be said of me, since I do not miss the raking, heating bills, and other nice things that come with the season, though I do like the trees).


One of the things that Carey remembers most about her year back in America was jumping in the Autumn leaves. Always around Thanksgiving time, she starts to ask us when the leaves will begin to fall. We do have a few that do loose their leaves. The almond trees that grow here, loose their leaves each fall. They all turn a bright red and gold at the same time. Then about a week later they start to grow their new leaves.

Since the almond tree (white-mans ground nut, as they call it here) has huge leaves, it is fun for the girls to walk in places that have a lot of these trees. They love to crunch on all the leaves and kick them in the air. Since most of these trees grow in public places, it is quite interesting to see the looks people give as they pass by and see our kids laughing and jumping in the leaves.
Though we do allow the girls this time of fun, we try to limit their frivolity a little. About two years ago Patty discovered a great way for them to get their leave jumping urge out without the public spectacle. Patty cuts most of the bushes in our yard and normally has a very large pile once she is finished. After finishing one day, she had the great idea to letting the girls jump in them. They where not dried, but they where still great to jump in.
Since that day a family tradition was born. So now each year around Thanksgiving the clippers come out and the leaves are piled up. The kids love to play until they are exhausted. (The pictures are from this year's leave jumping extravaganza! Carey and Ella love to ham it up for the camera).