Phoebe has been interested in the new house since we first laid it out with spray paint on the lawn. One of the upstairs rooms is 'her secret room'. To get to it she will go over the bridge that spans the living/dining room areas. The stair case to the upstairs will be 'hidden' in a large tree. It is pretty exciting stuff for a seven year old and grampa too!

Last week I coaxed Phoebe up an extremely tall ladder to grab a peek at her space but Phoebe's trepidation of heights was her main concern. I've asked her to come see a couple of times since but she has declined until the temporary railings and a staircase were in place. Today she was ready at last to explore. The staircase was a little scary for her without walls or a handrail but she put on her brave face for the adventure and gripped my hand very tight. The bridge didn't shake as she walked over it and she was much more confident although she stayed dead center, away from the edges. She had a little trouble imagining how the rafters, open to the sky was her secret room but she loved the view from her high perch. She asked that we paint her room blue and then declared it time to go back down to terra firma. She paused just long enough for me to take her picture.

It was a wonderful adventure.

-grampa dan