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to document which species they found, along with other information such as the time, location, land and weather conditions when it was found.
This was what they did "for fun."
Park rangers knew them by name. They encouraged the boys in their love of animals, and their constant desire to learn more about nature. At ages 10 and 12 these two actually discovered a new species of salamander, while park rangers laughingly told them they were after their jobs.

Now their little sister got into the act. Jordan loved bunnies, so we got her into 4-H at an earlier than normal age. She raised rabbits, then guinea pigs and chinchillas. She also helped her brothers often, just as they in turn, helped her. Our family became known as the "animal family." We had a zoo! Everything from a 6 foot iguana to a giant pleccotomus, to degus, and chinchilla, Macaws and of course our dogs and cats. People brought their kids over "to see our animals." All 3 of my children took first place in the fair every year, for Science exhibits, and animal showmanship.

We encouraged their love of animals to such an extent that it began to branch out, and now our friends and neighbors called my sons if their fish were sick, if their bird pulled out it's feathers, even if their rabbit wouldn't eat his carrots. Jay began making house calls to help people get rid of diseases in their fish, while Josh and Jordan were called several times to rescue stranded or sick wild animals, such as birds and squirrels and bunnies, in the area.

The children also began taking their animals to different places in the summer to do presentations for other kids. Every year for 2 weeks they taught a creation science class at "Blue Horizons" park. The taught 3 groups a day, bringing along different types of animals each day, and teaching younger children about them.

At 16 Jay had no trouble finding a job. The local pet store owners had known him for years. They had gotten advice and tips on caring for their animals from him for a long time. They started telling him and his brother, long before they were of working age "If you ever want a job, call me". "When you turn 16 call me." Of course the minute Jay turned 16 he went to work for the local pet store, and was immediately put in charge of all the fish in the store. No-one besides Jay is allowed to touch the fish tanks.

I was fortunate enough to be able to home-school my children during their learning and growing years. This made it easy to build on their natural love of animals

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