I don’t know if you can tell by looking at these photos, but there was quite a bit of arguing as my boys began building their first tree house. Jonny and I thought they’d have to quit before they really began. But with just a little intervention on our part, they have a start (and no one was hurt.)
These photos very much remind me of my favorite childhood picture book, We Were Tired of Living in a House. Sadly, it is out of print (but there are still used copies floating around.) Doris Burn’s illustrations are some of the best. I must have spent hours as a little girl, studying each of the outdoor homes the children create for themselves in the story. Thankfully, Andrew Henry’s Meadow, both written and illustrated by Doris Burn, is still in print. Just as a day spent creating a home in a tree is, these stories are full of the magic of childhood.
Sophie says
I’m drooling over your copy of “We were Tired…” My favorite book as well! I’ve never been able to find a copy, though…well, not within the budget! Hold on to it dearly, it is a treasure!
I have that book running through my head so frequently with my own children’s experiences.
Claudine says
These pictures are fantastic! Even knowing that the boys struggled to get this started, I see a beauty revealed in the images. I think sometimes we miss the beauty in the moment, but can see it with more clarity once an image is downloaded onto a computer and we have the chance to really study the photo.
The vine swinging and woods walking make me think of the ways my kids are becoming familiar with our new woods…and that tree house…oh I see one in their future!
Nicole says
Andrew Henry’s Meadow is my all-time favorite kids book from my childhood and I still have our original copy! Didn’t even think to look if she’d written more. Excited to check them out. 🙂
nancy says
Love, Love, Love these two books. They were part of the Weekly Reader Book Club that my family was signed up for in the early 70’s. There is a third Doris Burns we had that is almost MORE of a favorite: “The Summerfolk”. HIGHLY recommended for that fantastical, accidental Waldorf kind of book.
thanks for the post!
N
loveisall says
wonderfull !
paula@weewhimsicals says
Sometimes I get tired of living in a house too. I really want to try a yurt but no ones buying that just yet. Awesome progress looks like its being made though. Yay for parents letting them try!
Marilyn says
What a fantastic project for the boys! I know a son of mine (and all my nephews) would totally love a chance to have a go — but none of them live in an area with appropriate trees and/or lack of HOA rules. This will make wonderful memories for your boys! I hope the girls get to make their own when they are bigger, too. When I was a kid, I always wanted a tree house. Had to settle for making a fort in the attic with my friends — still pretty cool, and lots of fun times!
I now want to find that book…
As an aside, I bet you could use some more space. Once again, hats off to you. My measly 3 are making my head spin today.
Yvonne says
I LOVE that book! I was so fortunate to come across a copy at a thrift shop. Oh such bliss to find a piece of my childhood that I can share with my kids.
Kristen | The Frugal Girl says
Ok, Bea (I think it’s her!) on the left side of the top photo is CRACKING me up. 🙂
Kristen | The Frugal Girl says
No, wait…that’s Larkspur that’s cracking me up.
patty says
lovely!
Christine says
Oh how exciting and yes, they have gotten off to a good start. It’s always best when the kids can actually work on it on their own with a little guidance from us parents, I think they’ll appreciate more so than if we as parents did all the work for them. In the past few weeks we’ve had many tree house resources pile into our home. We’ll have to add your recommendations as well. Thank you!
Dave says
My neighbor and I built a tree house back in the day. Such fond memories. A few years ago, when my boys were younger, I took them to the very spot. I was able to find the three trees where our house had been built. I looked up and found the nails where the tree house had been attached to the trees. And, there between a couple of nails was a small sliver of wood. It was all that remained from what had been built something like twenty five years earlier. It was almost a spiritual moment for me to see that small token. 🙂 As always, love the pics.
Christy says
We LOVE those 2 books — my son has spent hours pouring over Andrew Henry’s Meadow! My favorite picture book as a child was Hide and Seek Fog by Henry Tresselt — Roger Duvoisin’s illustrations are so captivating!
linda gaylord says
We were tired of living in a house was one of my favorite books as a child that managed to survive my two kids and was able to be passed down to my grandsons.you are lucky to have your own copy,too.
Tanya says
My absolute favourite photos………pure family life with all its joys and hurdles.
caitlin says
Love your kids, makes me nostalgic – we did this kind of stuff too 🙂 x
jen says
I continue to be blown away by how good your kids’ childhoods will be.
Anne says
Awesome pictures! Curious about your husband’s t-shirt. Looks interesting!
Corinne says
Oh it all looks like so much fun! I grew up with two brothers who fought and argued all the time
and yet they are the best of friends…you can’t separate them!
Corinne
Rach @ A Squiggly Blog says
how precious – that book looks amazing!
Roxy says
How very funny to see your post! We just discovered Doris Burn’s books and ordered all three this very week! A friend of ours had them and my children pounced upon them – what magical illustrations. And sometimes, I’m just tired of living in a house, ya know? 🙂
sustainablemum says
Looks like huge amounts of fun!
tara says
That is so awesome! I want a treehouse! I love the branches the branches the kids are swinging on! We used to have a tire swing when I was younger and it was awesome.
mandi@herbanhomestead says
Oh! We have “We Were Tired of Living In a House”! Found it thrifting. And it is a favorite around here. I will check out the other one you listed as well.
Tonya says
I love this Ginny! Our children have built so many tree houses, some very unsafe that we had to “help” a bit with too – but I just know it is sooo good for them.
Blessings,
Tonya
Tonja Pizzo says
You have such a beautiful family. Thank you for sharing them with us.
Meadow says
Andrew Henry’s Meadow was my favorite childhood book! So happy to share it with my own children and have them love it just as much as I did. Glad they still sell copies of this classic. That other book looks fantastic too! I may have to see if our library system has an old copy 🙂 Thank you for sharing!
Linda says
Andrew Henry’s Meadow is the best book ever!!!! My daughter has always said that if she has a boy she will name him Andrew Henry. We are Tired of Living in a House looks great also but I have never seen it. Now I will be on the look out for it to add to my collection. Your kids look like they are having so much fun and that will be a great tree house.
Kate says
“We Were Tired of Living in a House” is one of our favorite books! I was lucky enough to find a good copy at a thrift store. My kids have always wanted a tree house, but none of our trees is the tree-house kind – you know, those fast growing trees that are planted all over the west – elm, cottonwood and Tree of Paradise. None of them are very strong and they have multi-trunks. Nice for shade, but not much else. A half a mile away are some ancient, beautiful blue and valley oaks, but the ones on our land were cut a century ago for the railroad and to provide beams for Los Angeles homes. My kids would gladly move for some decent tree-house trees, or the next best thing – a cave.
Linda says
Your children are amazing!
Clare says
It looks like lots of fun.
Barbara says
Awesome! Keep those boys busy (and outdoors)!
Donna says
so much fun!!! We have no trees in our little yard so I totally appreciate your forest!
Elizabeth says
how fun! So glad you all live in the country where you can have such wonderful adventures. Blessings on your day!
Amanda @ Life and Times says
Love love love Andrew Henry’s Meadow! I’m the bird lady!
Maria says
Truly, Ginny, your photography is becoming more and more magnificent.
A Little Blue Dragonfly says
How fun!!! They are making memories! Going to look up Doris Burns books now. 🙂
Missy says
I just found Andrew Henry’s Meadow at a thrift store this summer and we have been loving it! Finding these old jems has become a favorite past time of mine. I’ll look for Skorpen’s book next.
Amy at love made my home says
Well I could not tell there was any arguing, looked like nothing but loads of fun and games. So nice to see a family playing outside and making something from nothing! Hope you all have lots of fun in the tree house.
Heather says
Looks like loads of fun. I wouldn’t mind taking a turn on the vine myself. Have a great day. Heather
Anne says
Oh my goodness gracious! I rarely comment here, but I had to because I love that book!!! I grew up listening to my grandma read it at her house, and just very recently she gifted it to me to share with my kids. The pictures are amazing!!! Thank you so much for linking to Doris Burns’ other book. I’ve never heard of that one and I can’t wait to check it out!!
Lily says
It looks so much fun – I think I would have heart failure watching Little Son going up so high! Its hard as a Mumu to not show that really you would like to keep them in your arms forever out of harm isn’t it. Are they going to build a tree house with walls and a roof? Lily. xxx
Lucy says
Looked up Andrew Henry’s Meadow and it reminds me of my oldest son to the T. This book will be perfect for his birthday next month. Great recommendation.
Kelly Hiselman says
You are an inspiration! Thank you for your family’s sharing your beautiful journey.
Kelly
katherine johnson says
Jonny’s smile and the kids’ expression in that second to last picture is priceless.