As our family dissolves its current form and grows again to a new structure, we’re developing dozens of lovely traditions.
And my absolute favorite is the family story.
We talk each day about our favorite parts of the day, and our biggest challenges; we talk about gratitude and feelings.
And now, when the kids seem bored, when we share time together, when we travel in the car, and especially when dim lighting and clean teeth spell the end of the day, we invent a story. Together. Sometimes as three people, and sometimes as four. Each person tells one sentence of a new story. Each subsequent person builds upon it. Until it’s done. And then we do it again.
Tonight:
There once was a tree with several leaves.
And nearby there was a tree with lots of leaves.
And those two trees began growing toward each other.
One day they touched together.
And they began dripping honey.
And they grew together some more.
And they spilled all the honey on the ground.
This made them fight.
A bear stopped by to say, “Don’t worry, there’s enough honey for everyone.”
So every animal in the forest came and took what they needed.
And the trees were happy.
And the animals were happy.
And full of honey.
The End.
NaptimeWriting 
What a sweet little story. :)
Isn’t it? Most of them end up with a cement mixer going to a gas station so it can start all over again. But this was quite lovely in its ending.
And this was one of the four-person stories.
You know what? How glorious of a blurb book this would be. With illustrations by the kids. Really, timeless and priceless.
Stories written line by line, by families who make life their story. Yes, ma’am. On it.
Splendid! I want to live in that forest with all that honey! What a lovely bedtime tradition–thanks for sharing. I’m sure others will want to try this.
Hi, Frankie! It works really well while camping, and while in the car just before bickering would naturally start. And waiting in line at the DMV. And in the market line. And…
Well that pretty much sums it up. How excellent.
I was rather surprised how it turned out, but I’ll take it.
xoxo
I would like to start a story……
Licorice jellybeans are one woman’s delight and another woman’s ick. :)
And those women enjoyed each other’s company because one was always sent licorice jellybeans by well-meaning friends, and the other was happy to relieve her friend of this burden.
Love it! We have a game called Tell Tale that is similar but you pick a card and have to tell your portion of the story based on what’s on your card. But you guys are so dang creative you don’t need the cards! Honey = happiness.
Honey does equal happiness, right? Is it a metaphor? Why did they spill it? Overladen or neglectful?
Oh dear. I found the flaw in my game. The Masters in Lit kills all joy! ;-)
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