Isaac and his Papa

Isaac has been spending the summer finishing a woodworking apprenticeship program with my dad. His Papa. The other day I noticed that he is expressing some anxiety, so, I asked what was going on. He not-so-casually mentioned that the summer seemed too short because he wished he could spend all day every day all year with Papa.

Oh, that did twist at my heart a little bit.

So far this summer, they have built cars, treasure boxes, telescopes, and this week, they built a lollipop tree. It sits on my piano. He is so proud of what he has learned about woodworking. But more proud that he has learned multiplication, fractions, measuring, and safety. He knows how to use power tools like the drill press, the belt sander, and the band saw. All by himself.

What I love is that he likes to give away his creations. To share them.

And I love most that when you ask him what his favorite thing about the summer is, he'll tell you that it is being with Papa and being called Papa's "young apprentice."