Airplanes and trees

Saturday the 4 kids and I went to the park to go on a hike and fly some little wood airplanes that you make out of a box. It takes a a few minutes to assemble, and then you wind up the propeller, and let it fly. The kids were so excited to let them fly. Some were flying straight up, and then straight down, some flew around in circles and occasionally they would fly straight. We were tossing them, having a good time when I thought I would give it a try and show them how to make it really fly high and long. Well, mine flight turned into a challenge and an opportunity. I wound it up really good and let'r fly. It zoomed around until it got caught high in the middle of a big oak tree. oh, boy! What was I going to do now. I couldn't leave it in the tree. I'd never live that one down. So, I attempted to climb the tree but there was no low hanging branches to start my climb. Jackson then said, let's say a prayer. I thought, what a noble thought from my boy. All the kids stopped right there and Jackson said a prayer that we would get his plane down from that tree. What a neat experience to see him think of something like that(maybe some of those many days of teaching him are sticking with him). Afterwards, I looked around and found a garbage can that I thought I could use to help me get up in the tree and retrieve that $2.00 airplane that Jackson wanted so bad. So I climbed on the garbage can while Jackson and Hailey were holding it down for me. They were getting nervous watching me try to climb the tree. I think they were suprised to see me trying to climb a tree. If it were one of them, not a problem, they are tree climbing experts. I kept hearing, be careful, and don't fall. As I made my first attempt I jumped and tried to hug the tree branch and pull myself up, that was a big joke. As I was hanging in the air losing my grip I quickly told the kids to get out of the way, because it didn't look like I was going to make it up. They were scared and nervous for me. I got a little scratched up and a little disappointed that I didn't make it. What was I going to do.......I gave it one more try, and this time I hung on to a branch for my dear life, hoping and knowing if I didn't make it this time, it probably wasn't going to happen with this old dad. I held on tight and finally my old tree climbing skills kicked in and I remembered how to climb a try again. It was kind of fun, and scary at the same time. I was then able to position myself so I could knock the airplane out of the tree with a stick. The kids all celebrated, and so did I. I was releaved that I didn't let my boy down, and more releaved that I wasn't going to have to climb any higher or find another branch to climb onto to find this airplane. We finished a fun afternoon flying the planes at the park. It wasn't until much later as the kids were rehearsing what happened to someone that I heard that they had later said a "thank you" prayer that we were able to get the airplane. I wasn't around to hear them do that, but it sure made me proud to know that they also remembered to thank our Heavenly Father for answering their prayers.