With it being winter… and a record cold one at that, it is deer hunting season. Jeff’s dad and brothers are avid hunters… as are most of the men in his extended family. They are northerners (upstate New York), it seems like hunting is more popular up there.
Anyway… Jeff does not enjoy hunting, maybe it’s the sitting in the woods all day. He doesn’t do well with sitting still and being quiet. 😉
“If you want to ruin your son,
But:
put him where he must work,
expose him to difficulties,
purposely throw him into peril,
and in this way you shall make him a man, and when he comes to do man’s work and to bear man’s trial, he shall be fit for either.”
— Charles Spurgeon
Here are some excellent resources to help you instill good character and a strong work ethic in your children.
We live in the country. Random predators (stray dogs, foxes, the occasional bobcat) are always coming in the yard and messing with our cats and other pets. Last year Aaron found a sling shot in the shed. He can stand on the porch and shoot tiny stones at the offending animals. This is his way of protecting the home. It’s his job and he loves it.
Did you know that you can actually hunt with a slingshot?
I looked out from the back deck and I see Dad had plenty of help to make the rabbit hutch.
Little man is getting pretty good with the cordless screwdriver!
And then Dad gave his Jitterbug her turn.
Of course Peachy-girl had to be ready to help so she strapped a tape measure to her pocket…
then this happened. 😉
But because she has a great dad he let her try to screw a board.
This boy with the big toothy smile has lived with us for 16 months now and I am still amazed at how well he fits into our family. It is hard to believe that he and Jeff are not biological father and son.
Here is a great site with free patterns for several different birdhouses.
Emma’s fiancee Josh, found a great pile of pallets for FREE! He and Jeff brought them home.
I love this picture, not just because of what will be made with the pallets, but I love seeing Josh with Jeff. It blesses me so much that they enjoy being together, I really do feel like I am gaining a son and not loosing a daughter.
I love that Josh is a hard worker and nothing is beneath him. This brings such encouragement and comfort to me and Jeff because we know he will always do what he needs to to provide for Emma and their one-day-family.
Hop on over to Skip to My Lou and see how to make this cool bow and arrow. It would be good for someone who is not ready for a real bow and arrow. Make it as a gift or maybe make it with the kiddos.
“If you want to ruin your son, never let him know a hardship. When he is a child carry him in your arms, when he becomes a youth still dandle him, and when he becomes a man still dry-nurse him, and you will succeed in producing an arrant fool. If you want to prevent his being made useful in the world, guard him from every kind of toil. Do not suffer him to struggle. Wipe the sweat from his dainty brow and say, “Dear child, thou shalt never have another task so arduous.” Pity him when he ought to be punished; supply all his wishes, avert all disappointments, prevent all troubles, and you will surely tutor him to be a reprobate and to break your heart. But put him where he must work, expose him to difficulties, purposely throw him into peril, and in this way you shall make him a man, and when he comes to do man’s work and to bear man’s trial, he shall be fit for either.” — Charles Spurgeon
This was made by the 10 year old son of one of my Facebook friends.
He sawed off a piece of a limb, hollowed it out til it fit and then used 4 coats of clear nail polish to make it shiny.
What a great idea!
