A sad day at the farm...

We've been preparing our kids for a life at the farm for a few months now. We talk about the pigs we will sometime soon raise to be named "Bacon", "Ham" and "Sausage" and the sweet cows that will fill our freezer with yummy grass-fed beef. But I thought that was way down the road. They had their first taste of "death" here at the farm a few weeks back.

In the light above the back door a momma bird had built her nest and filled it with 3 of the cutest little baby birds. The kids knew not to disturb the nest and to not get too close or stay too long to keep the momma away. Every morning they checked on those babies and heard their little hungry chirps.

Until this one morning when we found 2 of them dead on the ground right outside the door. The kids were so sad and immediately sprang into action, gently picking them up (with paper towels at Mommy's pleading!) and gingerly examining them to try to discover the reason for their untimely demise. I was so proud of them. We marveled at how perfectly formed they were and how tiny.

It was then quickly decided that a burial was in order. The girls decided they should be wrapped up nicely to keep them cozy and a shovel was procured and a hole dug right under the tree next to our house. For once their was no fighting on who was doing what. It was a solemn "ceremony"... and then they asked for a snack. The End.  :)

Buying Local

Delaney, Addison and I ventured out this morning to the Beaver Farmer's market. So many great things to buy... we came home with 36 cents in my pocket :)

Here are a few of the "wares" we procured :)

The Chicken Chick

There's this girl who loves her chickens. (no. I love them but we are not talking about me right now)

She loves them so much that she's named them all. She talks to them. Coos to them. and has yet to complain about having to go and feed and water them. It was pouring down rain this morning so she grabbed her umbrella and off she went. no complaints. That's what happens when you love your chicks.

We received our very first baby chicks right after Memorial Day this year. Six different breeds and two of each. all girls (we hope)

If you are ever interested in a sure fire way to get your kids to watch less tv this summer--get them chickens. They will provide hours of entertainment and antics.

So this post goes out to Delaney,  our little chicken chick. You are awesome and have already become a farm girl!

(pictures from the first day)

(The Chicken Trainer)

(They are really getting big and have most of their feathers now--this was yesterday 6/26--they are officially a month old)

The Tears of a Clown

Delaney has really been into face painting lately. We even let her purchase (with Daddy's money) a full kit. She really has talent but not always a willing canvas. Today, William agreed to be painted upon. Once he saw his face, he decided he wanted it off... and when it didn't immediately come off from his rubbing, he went off to pout. I love that boy... Even in his pouting state, he managed to pick momma some flowers :)

btw... he's a panda :)

Happy 9th Birthday, Delaney! You deserve a re-do

9 years ago today, I met the most amazing little girl who made every dream I had of becoming a mother come true. She is truly one special kid.

Today was supposed to be a day of celebrating her. Instead, we spent the wee hours of the beginning of her birthday, holding her hair back and changing sheets as the stomach flu started with our sweet girl.

What a cruel joke to have the stomach bug on your birthday! No candles, no cake... no food. Just peach juice, ice chips and cold compresses.

No matter what, Delaney, Daddy and I want you to know that you are amazing and we love you so much. You officially have a birthday re-do coming to you next weekend when we can all get together and celebrate fantastic you!

With love,
Mommy and Daddy

Dads and Donuts... a Zion Tradition

Every year the kids look forward to the annual "Dads and Donuts" event at their preschool. It's a morning where the dads and kids come decked out in their favorite sport's team's apparel, eat donuts and wear paper ties (lovingly made by their kiddos)

Dad's and Donuts was supposed to be in Feb but it was postponed (it was a long winter) to TODAY!
Mommy was even asked to take pictures of the Dads and kids for the school.

Enter the stomach flu....

Both Addison and Jonathan III were downed with the stomach bug last night. The easy choice would have been for Daddy to stay home with the sickies while mommy fulfilled her promise to take pictures. We had one problem.... Will was so excited for his first Dads and Donuts and he was not staying home.

So we did what every other responsible parenting pair would do... we bathed them and dragged them to school :)

 New England Represent!

Will refused to have his picture taken with Daddy... after all that!

 Daddy looks so handsome in his Tie and Patriots shirt

 Will and his friend Arjun from his Small Steps Class

First Piano Lesson

So we bought a keyboard at Costco a long time ago.... it has been sitting in the box, moving from place to place in the house just waiting for someone to take it out and play it. I have had the hardest time finding a piano teach to come to my house and teach the kids. You see, we are in the car so much going to different activities that I knew I would never get cooperation if I had to drag them somewhere for lessons and then they would have to wait their turns. Not going to happen.

Enter Mrs. Paula!

Mrs. Paula has taught Jonathan, Addison and, up to recently, William in the Small Steps 2-year-old Program at Zion Lutheran PreSchool and we LOVE her. I approached her a year ago about lessons but she had no room in her schedule. I feel so blessed that this spectacular woman is teaching my kids to play the piano!

Jonathan was so excited that he got up practiced at 6:30 this morning! Gotta get that boy some headphones!