CHICKS!

We have a broody hen and so we asked a friend for some of their fertilized eggs and it has been 20 days and one of the chicks has just hatched! We weren't expecting any hatching until tomorrow, but I guess the little guy just couldn't wait. So cute!

Exploring

The boys have been exploring the back pastures, which is really fun because there are lots of big stumps and holes and logs to climb on, over and under. It is so fun to watch them because it reminds me of all the fun I had exploring the woods, creeks, and banks of the lake when I was growing up. Such a fun time of adventure and imagination. Of course as an adult and a homeschool mom I see so much learning out there! We lift up bark and see what critters are causing it to decomposing, find how they entered the bark, follow their trails, and see their different life stages. We investigate holes and look for tracks and hypothesize about who or what lives where. We collect rocks, leaves, and other debris to view under the microscope. But enough about all of this through my eyes, the boys just see it as fun.

Base Camp

Their big finds are a cave and a fort. The fort is an old burn pile, but not everything burned. So there are logs (bridges) to walk out on and pockets (rooms) where things did burn completely. It provides hours of fun.

The cave has also been a big hit. Originally I have to admit that I thought they had probably found a badger or snake hole, but after investigating it really is a sizable crevice opening up in the rocks. Right now the hole on top of the ground is only about 6 inches wide. I'm hopeful this is too small to encourage deeper exploration by the boys. And after we investigated it I covered it with a log and some large rocks to prevent the boys or a small goat from falling in.

After dropping some rocks into the hole we could tell it dropped down quite a ways and we could hear a splash at the bottom. It's not a straight down fall, like a well, there are rocks sticking out here and there so it's difficult to see to the bottom, plus it's dark in there!  We lowered in a flashlight and a video camera. The camera didn't see much because the light wasn't shining in the same direction as the camera, but we did determine that right now the crevice is about 15' deep to the water. The water at the bottom is about two feet deep. We have had a lot of rain so we don't know yet if the water is always there or not. It is dripping in and sounds just like Mammoth Cave with the dripping echo call of a cave.

Monster Jam Rally

Konrad took the boys to the Monster Jam Rally. They left early to attend the Pit Party.There they met Pappy, Uncle Mark and Ian and got to get up close and personal with the trucks and their drivers.

Kolin, Pappy, and Kaden with Predator

Kaden and Kolin with Predator, he was the scariest of all and his driver had yellow eyes.

Boys at the pit party, being boys.

Konrad and boys by Gravedigger

Happy New Year!

On New Year's Eve we decided to stay close to home. We went to the neighbors house and the adults played games while the boys played spies (spying on the adults) and watched a movie. And we all (barely)made it to midnight!At 12:10 we were back home and I think the boys were asleep by 12:11. Hope you were able to welcome the year in the style you wanted.  Happy New Year!

Been a while...

My intention today was to make and schedule some posts, but it seems I have lost the ability to upload photos and videos from my computer to the blog. I am hoping this is only temporary because my words just aren't that interesting. Plus, I know you all open these to see those cute little boys.

I'm sure you got our Christmas letter so you are up to speed through December.

So far in January we've lost a rabbit, a rooster and two goats. Not a great start, but the rabbit and rooster won't be missed much, is that bad to say? and one of the goats was just really, really old. The rest of the goat herd is getting really fat and we are anticipating kidding season to begin in early February.

The boys have been busy exploring the property. In pasture 4 they have discovered a "cave" and a "fort". I am very excited about their adventures. I remember having so much fun as a kid exploring the woods and following the banks of the lake (back when it was fairly safe to let you children roam the woods). 

I hope I can upload soon to share more with you about what we've been up to.

Good New, Bad News

 Kolin and I went to Vanderbilt for some tests on Monday. The good news is that the CAT scan revealed the cause of the gross hematuria. The bad news is that it is a large, unpassable kidney stone(s) and will requires surgery to remove. We have not scheduled the surgery yet but will  let you know when we do, probably late November or December. He is not in any pain. The bleeding is a result of the stone bouncing around during times of high activity and is not causing any 'damage' in the process.
That's all we know for now.

Henrietta

Just a pretty picture of Henrietta and her friend.

Kaden's Major Accomplishment!

That's right folks, he's reading!!

Solar Flare

We are studying Astronomy this year and we had the amazing opportunity to look at the sun through a special telescope. It just so happens that the sun is very active right now and there are many solar flares going on. We actually got to see them through the telescope! A friend who was with us put her fancy phone up to the telescope and was able to take a picture of it! It was better in person, but still amazing. Some of the solar flares we saw he estimated to be 100 (or was it 1000?) times bigger than earth! It was very cool to see.

The sun is white and if you look at  o'clock and at 5 o'clock you can see two seperate flares, just little white wisps rising off of the sun. The one at 3 looks like an atomic bomb if you look closely, and is a lot more energy than a bomb.

This one is a little blurry but a closer look at the 3 o'clock flare at it's peak. They act like wisps of smoke from a snuffed candle, but move much slower. Each flare lasts several minutes from explosion to extinction.

HOT Meat Goat Classic

Both boys were old enough to participate in the Heart of Tennessee Meat Goat Classic Pee Wee Division-Showmanship.

We arrive, pick a stall, put down wood chips, feed and water then get to work grooming the goats. Haircuts are Mommy's job. Boys do the brushing.

Kolin and Snowflake

All the contestants entering the ring.

The Boys and their goats in the Winner's Circle.

They each got a medal and a ribbon.

Some friends of ours came to the show. These are the same girls that painted the greenhouse. Their parents are beginning the process of adoption. Among other reasons, this is their answer to abortion. Please visit their blog to read more and enter the raffle for a great date night! Drawing is December 1st!

http://www.findingourhiddentreasure.blogspot.com/