Dirt Magnets

My boys (in case you haven't noticed) are dirt magnets.  Of course it doesn't hurt that we live on 5 acres of nothing but dirt.  Or that I rather enjoy sitting back and watching them be kids.

But if given the slightest opportunity, my boys will revel in being dirty.

Today was no different.

We have a dirt pile behind our house that the boys love to scale, conquer, and then slide/roll/fall down. 

Repeatedly.

Thank God for a (strong!) new washing machine and OxyClean!  You should see the dirt ring these two leave on my bathtub nearly every night!  Oh, but the fun they have and the joy on their faces is immeasurable!

In a SNAP!

Yesterday I heard Avery outside barking incessantly.  Now, this is not unheard of for her, seeing as she barks at people going by, neighbors taking out their trash, dogs barking in the distance, and sometimes mysterious nothings that somehow threaten her sense of security.

So when I went to see what had her hackles up this time, I was surprised to see a GIANT turtle scurrying across our yard from the road.  Now, mind you, the road is a bit away from our front porch and I could make this thing out perfectly and it was BIG.  So, of course, as any good mother would do, I grabbed my camera and my 5-year-old to go investigate.

Up close this thing was even bigger than it seemed far away...and UGLY.  

Now, before you think I'm crazy, I've grown up here and am quite familiar with the evil snapping turtles that are indigenous to these parts.  So I knew enough not to get too close.  Snapping turtles are mean and FAST.  I was grateful to have a ditch between him and us.  But I had to use this as a learning lesson for Nathaniel so he knows not to just walk up to one and hold it like he has with other turtles in the past.

Thankfully my husband heard Nate excitedly screaming "a TURTLE?" before heading outside to join me so he was on our heels.  

He quickly assessed the situation and since this beast was heading into the water Alex quite frequently plays in, we decided it was not best that he (she?) stay.  So my husband demonstrated to Nate this turtle's powerful (and FAST!) snapping reaction, lectured him about their dangers, and then collected him up (humanely).  Then he and Nate took him (her?) away to a pond much farther away from our front yard.  

Dave said this thing probably weighed 20 lbs and had to be about 12-18 inches long..it was huge.  I was glad to see it up close and learn about it...and even more glad to see it go.  Hopefully he (she?) will not be visiting again anytime soon.  At least if he (she?) does, Nathaniel has learned to steer clear and to make sure Alex does the same.  Always an adventure around here.

A Walk In the Woods...

Yesterday Nathaniel was lucky enough to go on a walk in the woods with Geema on Easter Sunday.  So Alex and I tagged along...

My Mom is an incredibly smart lady and knows a lot of stuff about a LOT of stuff.  I love every second my boys are able to spend with my parents because I know they are learning rich tradition and some very important knowledge.  I am very grateful to have my parents to pass these things on to my family and keep these lessons and values alive!
 

Yesterday's nature walk consisted of a lesson in tracking deer.  Grandma taught Nate what to look for and where to look to find deer tracks.  She taught him how to tell what direction the deer is traveling in and how there are big deer and little deer (this time of the year).

Here Grandma is pointing out a deer crossing where the deer travel across the creek.  She showed Nathaniel some raccoon prints on the bank and even showed the boys where the worms make tracks in the creek bed.  So cool!

Just when I thought Nathaniel wasn't paying attention, he stopped and said "Here's one Grandma!" and when I asked him what direction he thought that deer was headed he stopped, looked, and pointed in the RIGHT direction!  Yeah, Geema!

Thanks, Mom, for being such a fantastic role model and wealth of information to me and my children!!  You will never understand how much I fully appreciate all that you have taught ME and all that you are sharing with my boys!  We are SO lucky to have you!

Let me know when the tadpoles are ready and we'll be over for a lesson in amphibious creatures!  :)

Happiness is...

weather warm enough to do lots of this:

Wordless Wednesday - Spring Fun!

Wordless Wednesday

A picture story...

My sister and I recently took the kids (my boys and my niece, Kensington) to the pumpkin patch for some traditional Fall fun and photo op.  It seemed simple enough.  Stick the kids in a pumpkin patch and take their picture.  I even had the fantastic idea of getting one of all three kids to give our parents for Christmas.  I thought it would be nice for them to have one good picture of all three of their grandkids.

Sounds simple, right?

Sure!  It was anything but simple.

Here's a photo story of how that plan went.

First, choose a place with lots of pumpkins.  This one looks good.

Then sit the children there.  Stay put, guys.

Ok, now one more.

Stay right there, Kensie.

Um, Alex...where are you going?!?

Ok.  New plan.

We'll put them in the middle of pumpkins 
so it's harder for them to get out and roam.

Yeah.  That's good.

Let's try this spot.

Everybody sit.

Good.  
Now look at me!  
Over here!

Oh, ALEX!  Where ya' going?!?

Ok.  Take three.

Yoo hoo!  

Where's Mommy?  

Look at me!

Say "Cheese!"

Nate?  You ok?  What happened?

Oh, Nate!  Get up!  

Kensie:  "I'm outta here!"

Alex:  "Yeah, me, too!"

Nate:  "See you, Mom!"

Well, that went well.

I think that worked out great, right?

Hmm.  Maybe next time.