Simon

Simon and I and Todd are now super interested in identifying the tracks around our house since we now know that we have opposums, raccoons, and skunks.  We have seen them, of couse, at our chicken coop.  We were able to identify some skunk tracks today, really close together, with a pad and toes and the claws.  We could even make out the brush in the snow.  Simon and I followed them around our house and to the pasture.  I think we will be sad when the snow is gone and we can't see our animal tracks as easily.  He calls our house the "track house" now because he just loves it that there are always tracks to follow.

This weekend, we house-sat for friends while they were away from home.  Our job was to take care of their chickens, cow, horses, sheep, donkeys, and dogs.  Simon always did chores with Todd, sticking right with him and asking questions all the time.  He especially loved Puzzle, the new baby donkey.  I wish I had taken pictures!

For the Community Stones Into Schools Discussion, our church invited 2 men to speak about their Islam faith today.  Incredibly fascinating and inspiring to Simon and I in different ways.  When one of them mentioned that he has lived in India and Indonesia, Simon leans over to me to say "Mom, he has lived in 2 places where there are tigers...2 different tigers, Mom!"  Simon loves big cats so much, he can show anybody on the map places where big cats live, and he could even show you the country where the most cheetahs live.  He knows what their favorite meals are, when they hunt, where they live, and he really enjoys being a big cat to "fight" with his dad.  I love to find new books on big cats at the library for him.

Just some tidbits about Simon these days...