Morning Walk

Memorial Weekend

Farm School

This school is amazing.  So amazing.  While both Jackson and I knew we would like farm school I don't think either of us anticipated just how much we would love it.  Every week we would arrive to begin our two hours together with farm chores- feed the pigs, bring water to the sheep, bring hay to cow.  This was then followed by a meeting with Ms. Nancy who would give us our "to do" list which always included a new fun surprise- holding the new baby bunnies, riding "Cinnamon", bottle feeding the cafe.  Then we would end our time together sitting in a circle, singing songs while Ms. Nancy played her guitar.   I honestly couldn't imagine a more ideal place to get to spend two hours of time with Jackson.  It was so very special.  We are going to have to go back.

Weekend Highlights

~ All the time I got to spend with my little sidekick
~ The sun (who came out despite the weather predictions)
~ Eating breakfast on the deck
~ Playing in puddles
~ Happy kids (most of the weekend)
~ Flowers and trees blooming everywhere
~ Working on the loft and Ryan's shop in the barn
~ Gardening!  Potatoes, tomatoes, squash, aronia bushes, cucumbers and (replacement) rhubarb in!
~ Grace and Jackson getting to spread there wings a little this weekend by being able to ride their bikes beyond the driveway and walk down to our (wonderful) neighbors to visit them- all by themselves.
~ Ending the weekend with ice cream and family game night

Hi From Yesterday Morning

Her Favorite Things

"Guppies" (chickens)
When she's inside she spends a lot of time looking out the window for the chickens (and repeating "guppies", "where?").  When she's outside she also spends her time looking for those chickens and trying to catch one (won't be long).



Books.
She is still so into books and could honestly sit for hours reading book after book.



Daddy.
This is new.  While she has of course always adored Ryan, recently she has realized that good ol' daddy might just be as good as mommy, or sometimes even better (unless it's bedtime).



Climbing.
Everything.



I could also add "tubby" (baths), babies, and making us laugh to the list.  And while this list of favorite things isn't long, she would very much like to do/play one of them right now please.

At 16 months old, my baby girl is suddenly seeming like not such a baby girl anymore.  She is such such a busy, chatty, snugly, silly, persistent little being.  And yesterday, for the first time, as we were walking out to look for the chickens she said "love you" to me.

I love you too Nora.  So much.

I am feeling so grateful this morning for such a fun, full weekend...
~ Two classes at the Shepard's Harvest (one on Bengala Dying and one on raising sheep)
~ Breakfast in bed (and flowers, and cards and presents too)
~ A pedicure
~ Family over for more celebrating of both mother's day and Katie and Kris's engagement
~ My mom and all of the inspiring women/mothers in my life
~ My three amazing kids who continue to inspire me, challenge me, and love me everyday

We got a great start to our weekend today, spending the entire day outside working and playing.  Plus the magnolia tree is finally in bloom.  Now I know spring is here.

I think Nora might (understandably) be a bit confused about what the weather in this here part of the world should be like in May.  Whenever she wants to go outside she still grabs for her boots and tries (often successfully) to put them on.  Then she stands at the door and says "go".



And so we do go (after I help switch her out of boots and into sandals)- right out to the garden.  This week we have planted edamame, spinach, lettuce, carrots, and broccoli.  I can't believe I'm saying this with the late start we got this year but I'm actually feeling pretty good about our garden.