The Best Rock Hound Ever (Jeffrey's self proclaimed title)

Today, I pulled out Jeffrey's drawer of art supplies, and it was heavy! The whole thing is full of rock collections from the different excursions he's made in the last 3 months. His fascination for rocks was kindled during a year end field trip for school to the Arizona Rock and Mineral Museum.While we were at the museum, he picked out a few great samples already tagged and bagged to start his collection. He started adding to it as soon as he came home.

I don't know how many of you have been to Arizona, but it is a 'rockhound's' dream. The state is basically a large rock pile. Jeffrey started coming home with his pockets full of rocks. Even trips through the back yard yielded incredible new treasures.

The first must is a trip to the bathtub or the sink. He absolutely insists, because, "Mom, it makes the colors cool and makes them look good!"

The rocks then end up in little groups everywhere! They were hidden all over the house in little boxes, in drawers, under table, in corners, under couch cushions...We finally had to make a rule about how many rocks he could have in his collection at one time. If the number of rocks he had exceeded a predetermined number he had to put the extras back outside.
Not wanting his precious finds to get mixed in with all the ordinary rocks, he stashes them behind bushes/trees or in corners around the patio. The kids have a 'clubhouse' around the back of the office. You can see part of Jeff's collection along the back ledge.
What makes a rock special enough to land in his collection? I have no idea, but he does. He actually remembers quite a few of his rocks and can tell you why it's so great and when he found. One of my favorite descriptions was his simple description of an arrow head. He told his friend Caleb, "Indians use these to kill chickens."
This rocks on this brick wall are around the side of the house by the air conditioning unit. The ones below are just outside the door. Patio collections frequently get dispersed to the greater rock pile in the yard by dad, so Jeff is learning to make his discoveries harder for the untrained eye to find.
This is my favorite rock. The kids actually all signed it and brought to me when I was in recovery mode a few months ago. They love me! And now I have it etched in stone.