We have a huge pecan tree in our yard. And when I say huge, I really mean it — as in if it fell, our house would be reduced to rubble. Every 2 to 3 years, the pecan tree decides to drop thousands of pecans all over the yard. The squirrels, in these years, do a little happy dance knowing their future is secure. But for me, I feel compelled to do something about some of those nuts littering my yard.
All I wanted was the pecans in my yard picked up – or rather, to find a way to get my kids to pick up the pecans in my yard. I didn’t expect to get a life lesson out of it, too!
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Looking for the Sweet Spot 
Haha, this was great! Love the hefty payoff for your preteen son. A good lesson, indeed.
He was pretty excited! Which made it all worth it.
This post made me smile. So glad he was rewarded. He deserved it for following through when the going got tough, Congrats to you both.
Thank you! It ended up being a fun experience. However, the Pecan Pie he wants us to make with some of the pecans we saved may not end quite so well!
The pecan challenge – share with the squirrels or gather the tasty treats for human consumption. I too suffer with this moral dilemma. The yield was so small this year (both quanity and quality wise) that I decided to re-gift my meager stash back to the squirrels in February – when their food supply is dwindling. They probably couldn’t care less (heartless bushy-tail rodents), but it will make me feel warm and fuzzy…and self-righteous probably.
That experience is going to be a memory that your son will hold in heart for a long, long time – I predict. -Nikki
Funny! My squirrels (and dog) seem to stay fat regardless – ha!!