Farm Visit

Today was the annual farm visit

from our neighborhood preschool.

I had 62 children, 8 teachers and several parents visit!

They all got to meet the horse, hold a baby goat,

say hello to the rabbit, and pet a chicken.

I enjoy the visit so much every year.

The kids are adorable, full of smiles and love to see the animals.

They also make me laugh.......at myself.

~ ~ ~

Like this year, when I was talking about chickens.

 I asked the kids, while holding a watermelon rind,

if they liked to eat watermelon.

They all answered, "Yes!".

Then I asked if chickens like to eat watermelon.

They didn't quite know what to say and just looked at me.

 I then told them that chickens love to peck at watermelon rind

and then I preceded to put some in the chicken yard.

A little while later I asked if there were any questions

and a cute 4 year old boy raised his hand and asked,

"Do chickens like to eat grass?"

Before I could answer the cute 4 year old girl sitting next to him

elbowed him in the side and said,

"Chickens eat watermelon, silly!"

~ ~ ~

So this year I realized I may have to improve the information

I relate to the children about chickens.

Yes chickens eat grass and grain and bugs and lizards and vegetable and fruits.......including watermelon!

Until next year.....

More Babies!

Our LaMancha doe, Arella, gave birth sometime in the night,

because when we went outside to feed the next morning,

there were two brand new kids in her stall!

The boy we named Deja Vu

because we have three other white LaMancha goats.

This is because the daddy, Zion, is solid white.

We were really surprised with the doe's colors and markings!

Every kid Zion has fathered,

both on this farm and many others,  

has been white or cream colored.

So this one was quite a shock.

We named her Diadem.

They are both just beautiful!

Ester Delivers!

This evening Ester gave birth to 3 does,

but one of them didn't make it:-(

We were sad for the loss 

and happy for the births 

at the same time.

It reminded us how precarious the beginning of life can be. 

And how precious life is. 

The other two does are doing well.

We named them Diamond and Dixie.

After delivery, Ester was thankful for the babysitter and the hay.

And we loved on them through our tears.

The Big, Wide World

Today America and her boys got to leave the birthing stall.

They started to follow their momma out the stall door

and then came back inside to think about it a little longer.

After a few more minutes,

they wandered out together

and started to explore.

They gave a wide berth to the communal hay feeder.

And when they came in at the end of the day, 

they were so happy to see us!

They ate quickly and fell asleep even quicker,

tired from all their new adventures.

It's a big, wide world out there,

and today Delano, Dreamer and Diplomat got a glimpse of it.

Angel Delivers

Angel gave birth this afternoon to

one buck and one doe!

She did it in under two hours

and all went well.

They happen to be cute and lovable

and we think the doe will have blue eyes.

Next door, Ester was curious and looking at the newborns.

I told her, "You're next Momma.  You're next!".

Something got my chick:-(

It's ironic that I took this picture the day before.

Because the next morning Maple was gone.

In this picture Maple is on the right:(

When you grow up on a farm, like my children,

it's hard not to hate varmints like

raccoons, opossums, snakes, bobcats and others.

You learn real quick that those varmints eat meat.

And the animals we raise are.......well.......meat.

We also realize that our farm animals would not last very long

or do very well without our daily care,

but it still hurts when our protection is breached and they become part of the food chain.......the bottom of the food chain.

Our children learn that we do our best to keep our animals safe.

I also remind my children that some animals are meat eaters.

God designed them to eat meat.

It's our job to make it next to impossible for them to eat here.

Nuff said.

Senior Prom

Kevin and his girlfriend Anna went to prom tonight.

After three boys I am beginning to realize

that dressing for a prom is easy.

If you are a guy.

But Anna made it all look so easy.

And fun.

 ~ ~ ~

But don't forget one of the universal dating secrets:

  Nothing good ever happens after midnight.

Take my word for it.

And I'll see you at 12.

Happy Birthday

I remember vividly the day you were born.

I remember the doctor yelling at me to stop pushing

while he unwrapped the cord from your neck.

Two times.

When you were one month old I remember

how you would laugh at the fan rotating above my bed

as I dressed you every morning.

And now, when you are 20 years old,

and no longer a teenager,

I still remember you as a toddler reaching to me and saying,

"Up! Up!"

Happy Birthday Alex.

With much love.

Mom

Back on the Clock

My chickens are laying eggs right and left,

like there's no tomorrow.

Forget about all that molting that went on between

Thanksgiving and Christmas.

They are BACK ON THE CLOCK.

Here are my eight layers in all their glory.

Henny

Penny

Jenny

All three are Buff Orpingtons and they lay large brown eggs.

This is Matilda.

Henrietta

Lucy

These three are Americana hens and they lay blue or green eggs.

This is a Cuckoo Maran hen I named Geraldine

after one of my favorite authors, Geraldine Brooks.

(Geraldine just sounds like a chicken, doesn't it?)

She lays dark brown eggs.

Last, but not least, is my hen Souffle.

She is a polish breed and she gives us small, white eggs.

But besides that, she is just a hoot.

And this is a typical day's work for my ladies.

Can anyone say omelet!