The Boys' Cabins

Sometimes I have to remind myself that the best lessons in life usually are not learned inside a classroom...or inside our house.  Because, I have the tendency to want to teach my kiddos things from books.  And, while reading is one of the most beautiful ways of teaching (I remember so much curling up with my mom to listen to her read me a story), sometimes these kiddos need to learn simply by doing - by being kids.

So, after making a thorough scan for snakes, off the boys went to build their homes.

After a few hours, I went to check it out.  First, I found their fireplace.

Then, I saw Peter chopping wood for his building material.

Next, I noticed Carer's doorway (use your imagination).

And, there was their ammo pile in the event that predators came.

I was told this was a booby trap.

Carter then showed me how his doorbell worked.  You shake the big limb, and the twig sitting on top falls to the ground, alerting him that he has company.

Gathering materials again.

Then, they showed me their naturally occurring weapons.  This was a spear.

This, a hammer.

After my tour, they were back to work for a few more hours.  

Along came their first visitor.

I hope he missed the booby trap.

May their imaginations always be this great!

A Sunday with the Cats (yes, I said that correctly).

I am the first to admit, I'm not a cat person.  It's just that if I had to choose between owning a dog and a cat, I'd choose a dog.  But, the kids have been begging for a cat.  I've always said no.  Well, last week at Carter's piano lesson, his teacher said she had three older kittens who needed homes.  As any good parent would, I passed the buck to Jeremy.  And...he said yes!  I was shocked.  So, Saturday afternoon we had a little delivery.

Jeremy said they could have the cats on one condition...that they live in the barn.  So, the boys readied beds for their new pets.

And, it's been love at first sight...so far.  Carter hasn't named his.  Peter's is Fuzzy (yes, that's the second Fuzzy we have now).  John Paul's is Nellie.  They're all male cats.

This is the one without a name.

And, Fuzzy is always hiding, which is probably good, being that we have owls, too.

 Carter is most impressed with their climbing skills.

Nellie.

 And, what would an animal post be without a little chicken update.

We have fourteen, and ten are consistently laying.  It's been so, so fun for all of us!

So, if you need an animal fix, we can probably help you out.  We've got a little bit of everything around here!

The Way They Do Football

I think it was Tuesday morning when I looked out the kitchen window to see this...

Frustrated that they might be fighting again, I went outside to get the inside scoop.  Turns out they were playing football, and boy were they dressed the part!

Carter was the captain, and I asked if he knew the rules..."Yeah, yeah yeah - you just wrestle with the person who has the ball until you rip it out of his hands."  Good enough.

 Then they decided they all needed their own ball.

I asked them for their toughest football look, and here's what I got...

Watch out!  These boys are mean football-playing machines!