When Quicksilver spends time with Grandpa

Posted for no particular reason

Reading to children

Quicksilver, who is 4 years-old, has taken quite an interest in my new book on snaring.

She was identifying the animals in the illustrations (which are all top-notch and one of the strong points of this book) when we got to the illustration of the skunk and porcupine.

She pointed at the porcupine and said "Pokey-pine" which was close enough for government work. 

Then I asked about the other animal and asked "What about that one?"

She replied "Pokey-pine" with great confidence. 

"No that is not correct. Try again" I said.

"Pokey-pine" she repeated.

I decided to give her a clue. "What does you mom say when you are riding in the car with her and then it starts to stink inside?"

"Who tooted?" Quicksilver replied. 

In the interest of science, we made a practice snare from the wire used to hang pictures. I then demonstrated how it worked by pretending my fist and wrist were an animals head-and-neck.

Mrs ERJ informs me that kids crave learning real skills. They can tell the difference between "toys" and "real", "play" and "practical".

Based on Quicksilver's interest, I second Mrs ERJ's information. 

Bonus image

And now his friends are warned, too. Grenades, the original "Inclusive ammo choice".