Swinging.

Ranae shows me her skills on the tire swing.

I get dizzy just watching her.

The Tree Lady

This is the "Tree Lady" in my small farm life.

Her head was empty at first.

But after a storm Kevin noticed that this air plant had fallen.

Now her head isn't empty anymore.

Amigo

Amigo is still hanging in there.

Even though his mother doesn't like him.

She doesn't feed him unless I am holding her.

The good news is that he is starting to eat grain and hay.

I think he is going to make it!

And his sister, Anthem, is doing fine.

UF Beauty Peach Tree

Namwah Thai Banana Plant

Today we planted two trees.
~One of my favorite things to do.~
I have not had any luck with bananas yet.
This is the third one I have planted.
And peach trees don't normally grow this far south.
But UF says this one can.

We'll keep our fingers crossed.

The Frog

Doing a little yard work Saturday....

and this is what I saw....

THE FROG.

...and Kevin wasn't afraid to pick it up.

EWW!

Relay for Life

Relay for Life is a national campaign to raise money for cancer research.

Ranae participated with her Honor Society.

Sarah and I went along for the ride and we came home by 8 PM.

Matthew and Alex went representing their school.

They stayed all night and I picked them up at 8 AM the next morning.

It was very inspiring to see the cancer survivors walk the first lap.

The smiles on their faces were contagious.

Another Preschool Visit

Today I had two preschool classes visit.

The children were 3-4 years old.

And my Sarah was one of them!
Altogether we had 30 children, 4 teachers and a few parents.
Some brushed or petted the goats.
And a few even held them.
Everybody fed the horse a carrot.

And nobody cried.
Success!

SUNFLOWERS !

The girls and I planted sunflowers on April 10th.

And now they are coming up!

What a marvel.

There is so much hope in a tiny seed.

Don't ya think?

The Wall of Fame

This piece of fishing wire

held up by two cup hooks

is our "Wall of Fame".

Whatever is noteworthy gets hung here.

We see it every day.

Coming and Going.

The kids like to share with Grammy,

or anyone else that will listen,

their special pictures and papers.

If I ever want to change it

I must do it in the dead of night.

Because my little one can't bear to part with

anything she's made.

Preschool Visit

Today a Bright Beginnings preschool class came to visit the farm.

There were 15 little 3-4 year olds.

Plus 2 teachers and a few parents.

After we had pet the baby goats,

fed the horse carrots,

fed the mother goats hay,

and had a snack,

I then asked if anyone had any questions.

One little boy came up and held my hand and asked,

"Is that your pool?"

Babcock Wilderness Park

Sandhill Crane Family


The beautiful new green leaves on the trees.

Sarah petting an alligator.

Alligator floating on the water hyacinth.

Wild Turkey

Our 4-H Club had a great time looking at all the wildlife.

We also saw:

deer

Cracker cows

wild pigs

horses

Cowboys

Florida panthers

snakes mating

a mother alligator carrying babies on her back

and a frog.

Mowing

Mowing.

Because the grass always grows.

...and grows

...and grows.

So I mow.

(And because my "Nanny Goat Lawn Service" doesn't have access to ALL the grass.)

My Favorite Verse

...Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.

PHILIPPIANS 4:8

New Gloves?

These are my new gloves after one day.

One day of pulling weeds, trimming bushes and laying pine straw mulch.

I really thought those extra special green tips meant something.

But, alas, they are already going.......and nearly gone.

My small farm life can be tough on gloves.

TOMATO HARVEST

The tomato harvest this year has been good!

(In Florida it's almost over.)

This is what we have picked in the last few days.

I always seem to do better raising cherry tomatoes.

But I keep trying for the larger varieties.

So......maybe next year.....

THE KIDS

Just some of the kids....

From left to right - County, Lee, Adagio, Allegro, Amos, Angel, Fair and Asher.

From left to right - Kevin, Alex, Ranae, Matthew and Sarah.

ALEX TURNS 17

HAPPY BIRTHDAY ALEX!

WE ONLY RENTED THAT THING FOR 1/2 HOUR!

COME BACK IN ONE PIECE PLEASE.

(...and your brothers too...)

EASTER

What a beautiful day.

We ate out on the porch.

Something must be said for being able to do that at:

Thanksgiving...

Christmas...

and Easter.

And the Easter Bunny brought candy.....PLUS

battery operated Bubble Guns!

That bunny is cool.

And so is the fact that we worship a risen Savior.

HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE !!!

Evening at the Park

Biking, Climbing and Swinging.

We did a little of all three.

It was a great way to start Spring Break.

Here's to spring!