You might think I’m talking about a new hair bow . . but I’m not.
Chad and Nicole both bow hunt and Addie has been wanting her own bow. They bought her a small, child sized bow. Don’t anyone get all PC on me . . they watch her like a hawk and would never allow her to have it out when other kids are around and no, Addie will not be hunting . . at least for a few years.
Yesterday Nicole and I were video chatting and Addie was wanting to go out and “shoot” so she could show Granny. They had just got the bow the day before and Nicole was still showing her how to use it. It’s fun to watch Addie when they’re showing her something new. At that age, Chad would have been saying “I know . . I get it . . let me do it!” and not listening to what we were telling him but Addie sits there like a little statue and absorbs everything Nicole is telling her. The bow doesn’t have much pull but it seemed like a lot and she wasn’t doing so well . . though she was probably doing better than I would have been doing with a bow!
I was surprised when Nicole sent me this picture a couple of hours later. It looks like she’s pulling it back just fine now. Isn’t that the cutest picture – love her pink outfit that she can twirl, and her boots.
When we were video chatting, she kept wanting her arrow to stick in the target but her arrows aren’t very sharp and she didn’t have enough power behind it but apparently, she tried til she got it.
Look at that smile! She’s proud of herself.
I hesitated to even post this because I know some will not approve of a girl with a bow but I’d rather see this any day that kids sitting on the computer or in front of the TV all day. Addie does her share of watching her shows, and playing on the iPad or Leap Pad but she would so much rather be doing anything outside.
I love how Chad and Nicole are raising Addie. That little girl will have no problem living off the land. She doesn’t mind watching her dad or grandpa clean a squirrel and then having it for dinner. She doesn’t mind dressing up in pink frills and playing with her dolls. She’s just an all around great kid and I thank Chad and Nicole so much for Addie’s attitude and “can do anything” personality.
Erin says
Yay for Addie! She is so darn pretty! My grandchildren (girl and boy) both took lessons over the summer! Addie has great form! I say Go Addie!
Sherrill says
I think she’s very well-rounded and takes an active interest in all that her parents do! It’s hilarious seeing her ‘girly’ looking but acting ‘like a boy’ in her love of all things outdoorsy, hunting and fishing. She’s adorable and I think she’s blessed with awesome parents.
shirley bruner says
Good for Addy! so good to see her parents teach her so many things. she is going to be a well rounded woman
glen in louisiana says
You go Addie! Way better than my parents who thought girls shouldn’t even go to college or work. When I left home I put myself though three degrees, and was the valedictorian in my undergraduate degree. I put Frank through school before I ever set foot in a college class. And before I sold my last company I owned two successful companies and ran the HR Dept of the largest medical center in South Louisiana.
Moneik says
That’s awesome! I grew up around hunters and learned early on to shot a bow and a gun. Teaching them young creates interest and teaches right and wrong. She reminds me so much of the way we are teaching our kids to be, independent and flexible.
Anna says
Isn’t Addie just the cutest little girl!? Nothing wrong with a girl and a bow, my youngest daughter is saving up for her own, and this past week I bought her a .22LR. I think Addie has some real good parents and grandparents who are encouraging her in her interests!
Gail Sheppard says
Yeah for Chad and Nicole!!! Addie will learn so many skills and have fun learning!
Dottie N. says
Addie is adorable and so well rounded. She has wonderful parents and grandparents!
Bonnie tucker says
Go Addie (she is women hear her roar). Girls should be taught that they can do anything and everything. Addie is being taught early to work hard for something she wants. I love it. You go girl.
Marsha says
Congratulations to Addie! Those pictures are just adorable. She will be out pheasant hunting in no time at all. Enjoy that little girl.
Christine says
And of course, the bow string and arrows are pink!!! : )
katie z. says
Fabulous! My girls love their bows too.
Theresa says
I think it’s great, and I’m so glad they didn’t dismiss her wanting to learn marksmanship because she’s a girl.
wanda j says
Judy it is so funny when you post stuff like this. I’m always telling you how much we have in common. And how many things you have had happen that I’ve had too. Almost like next door neighbors on certain things.
Well my son in law has taught my granddaughter everything he knows how to do( except being an electrician). She has had child’s size everything like made from golf clubs, mini rifle,fishing poles and yes mini bows. Everything her dad did she does too.
She now is senior in high school and has 2 bows of 2 different kinds.She has two types of guns for all kinds of shooting animals. She loves to help clean the animals ( he doesn’t makes him sick go figure that one) and makes food for them to eat. So watch out that is coming too.
So it looks like Addie is following her daddy right along the same way. Now don’t let people give you a hard time about hunting for girls. They love all these things and that doesn’t hurt just because of being girls. They are just well rounded as they would say.
She is so darn cut in those boots , pink skirt and blonde curley hair ( like my granddaughter too). Put a brick on her to stop growing so fast will you. It bring back all kinds of great memories from yesterday for me..
Enjoy her while you can they grow up so fast. Mine is off to college next year..
Andrea says
So flipping cute! She needs to know that bows aren’t toys, and by being shown to properly use one she’ll learn that PLUS a new skill. I think it’s great that she’s being raised without regard to traditional gender roles and is instead being allowed to try many things and decide for herself what she likes.
Evelyn says
I think many parents keep their kids to sheltered now a days. Then they get into something and have no idea what they are doing…and then an accident happens. I believe it is so much better to teach kids early about these things and then they learn the safety points and know what they are doing. My son had bow and arrow AND shooting lessons all summer long. Just makes me feel better knowing he has had the lessons! Good for Chad and Nicole for getting her a size appropriate and teaching her early! She looks like she figured it out very quickly!
-Evelyn
Sue S says
Girls can do anything they want to do, and any outdoor sport has the very real advantage of fresh air and sunshine! My oldest granddaughter loves archery and it’s been a real father-daughter bonding activity. I say Go Addy! 🙂
Cheryl says
My granddaughter has a bow, a BB gun and other items that are only used with supervision and proper training. That is how our 2 daughters and 1 one son were raised too. They didn’t have video games were but knew how to garden and hunt and play. They are even all well adjusted, productive adults! Chad and Nicole are definitely doing things right with Addie! You should be proud!
Chris at the Resort says
Love this post! (And she is adorable!!)
Rebecca in SoCal says
As always, I just love her mix of girly-ness and “tomboy”ness! She seems so very enthusiastic about so many things, she is a delight.
It’s wonderful she wants to do what Mommy and Daddy do, and that she can!
Mechelle says
She is so flipping cute! Love the frilly skirt and the pink bow. My Dad didn’t have any boys either, so I helped him do stuff – mostly stacking firewood, holding the deer antlers up for a photo or bee keeping! Makes for a girl with a can-do attitude!
Ranch Wife says
LOL…I’m just now catching up, but sure glad I didn’t miss this one! That little girl is being raised right and she’s going to have a great sense of self with an extra dose of independence. In fact, I’m betting that she already does! Go Addie!