Nature Study Story

Just had to share part of my day!  Today, the baby was sick, so we were doing the bare minimum on our schedule.  When nature study was on the schedule, I decided to skip it, but since the last few weeks have been filled with lots of missed school days and pared down schedules, I was feeling a little discouraged.  Just as I had gotten the baby to sleep, my daughter told me that their was a large animal in the tree.  After looking out the window for a few seconds, trying to identify what animal it was behind the trunk, up in the branches, I suddenly realized it was my DOG!

We went out to try and coax her down out of the tree, and then realized she had chased something up the tree.  It was some sort of weasel like animal.  After we got the tree climbing dog inside, the kids went out with their binoculars and camera to study it.  They googled what it could be and discovered it was a mink.

Later in the evening, another of our dogs found the mink and killed it.  I let the kids bring the mink in – stink and all –  so they were able to get a close up look at a mink, and record their observations.  Then my son asked my neighbor if he could teach him how to skin it.  So it went from a somewhat discouraging day, to an AWESOME nature study day!

Also, my 7 year old son made this video, which was my favorite find of the day.  He comes up with the funniest things to say!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqzWme2zzQY