As described in the previous post, I acquired some elm, and one of the trunks had some rot in the top. I had cut the rotten branch into 12" sections, and I was planning on making them into fire wood.
In order to activate the boys, I suggested that they removed all the rotten spongy dead wood and made those hollow pieces of wood into a tunnel for the rabbits.
That seemed like the magic word. In no time there was spongy rotten elm all over the place and they were hacking away using different kinds of tools.
The rotten wood gave way easily and they really liked the speed of the project and that they could see some clear progress.
Once finished, the elm tunnel was installed in the stable for the rabbits to play in.
Lessons learned:
Children don't mind rotten spongy wood, in fact they think that it is an advantage above normal wood.
Rabbits like tunnels made out of elm.
Children normally disappear before it is time to clean up the accumulated waste from the project.
All in all a good and quick project :-)
Coarse tools = quick results.
Scooping out waste.
The proud craftsman.
The installed tunnel.
Curious inhabitants.
Nice - I especially like the last lesson; it's so true!
ReplyDeleteExactly. And I don't know how they manage to do it every single time.. (Maybe they are smarter than me..)
ReplyDeleteI won't show my daughter this, otherwise she will want a rabbit. But it's good that your boys got to work with tools and wood, and as always, making something from scratch is as fun as it gets
ReplyDeleteBill
Actually a rabbit is kind of an easy animal to keep. But I am glad that we can keep it outside, otherwise they can be a bit smelly.
ReplyDeleteWe both agreed (my wife and I), that he could have a rabbit. after all, he is not particularly interested in horses, and it is hard to argue that two (free) small rabbits are not welcome, when you already have two horses that take up quite a lot more space and consume hay and feed like they were getting paid for it.
I like the fact that he can develop a sense of responsibility by having the rabbits. It is his job to remove their droppings whenever it is required, and to pick some grass etc. for them every day and make sure they have some fresh water. He is taking it very seriously which is really nice to see.
Brgds
Jonas