Seven

July 18 is the big birthday.  Seven.  The age of reason.  The age that sends your parents into a pit of despair when they realize how old that makes them.  You just keep on changing and growing.  Stop that! 

You devour chapter books like they're going out of style. 


You build Legos with your brother and save the creations until every piece is in use.  


You collect things in your room, and on your walls, that make you a pack-rat kind of kid.


You could draw pictures and do crafts all day.  


You still love to dress in costumes and dance around the living room.


You love to babysit your little brother when Mommy needs to leave the room.   


You want to be a horse trainer and a scientist "like Daddy" when you grow up.  


You know more words to praise music blasting on the radio than either of your parents.


You report that your bedtime snuggles with Mom or Dad is your favorite time.  


You could eat macaroni and cheese everyday if it were an option.  


You ask for asparagus as a before bed snack, but only after you've had a yogurt parfait.


You can be very serious, very emotional and very crazy - usually all within the same minute.



You've made it through the 1st grade and your teacher thought you were pretty great. 
You've joined 4-H, started playing the violin and participated in 2 choirs.  
You've fallen in love with goats. 
You've lost 6 teeth and #7 is pretty loose.  
You've had a big year.  

This birthday has been eventful, even before your actual birth day.  You brought four girlfriends to see Cars 2 and then out for ice cream.  You reported that it was "the best day EVER!".  It was a really fun time seeing all those cute smiles- and a perfect activity for a 108 degree day.  

Build-A-Bear has been on your radar for about a year.  You were so thrilled when we told you we could go there for the first time.  You made quick decisions about which bear and what outfit you wanted.  I love that quality about you.  "Ellen" was created and dressed in a wedding gown.  You chose her name, not knowing that you used your namesakes full name.  Perfect. 

The 45 minute drive to town wouldn't be complete without a birthday meal at your favorite place- Freddy's - home of the famous steakburger, french fries and custard. Who knew that you would meet Freddy himself?  He made sure that you were serenaded by a very talented employee while you ate your birthday ice cream cone. You asked him if you could take his picture. He even wrote you a special note. What great memories.

Your Mom and Dad love you like crazy.  You drive us crazy sometimes because you are so smart, independent and strong willed.  But that is what family is for.  And just imagine - in another 7 years, you'll be 14.  Then we will all be really crazy.  Now stop growing up so fast!  

We love you! 

P.S.  Thanks for letting these two cuties come along for the ride.  They sure do love you.  It was Owen's idea to pick out a birthday present for you at the store and he told everyone he saw that it was his sister's birthday.  He really wanted to make you happy, even though he drives you crazy sometimes too.   

Cats Are Smart

We love our cats to the point that it is hard to imagine life without Sam walking around with his favorite cat in his arms.  Now we have a few more to carry around.
 

Although our goal in life is to not overpopulate the world with felines, we were hoping to have a litter of kittens prior to sending them off to the vet for a surgical procedure.  Our hope became a reality when Charlotte (our all black cat) had a litter of 4 all black kittens just over a week ago.  She had them at night and was walking around the farm the next morning - just looking a bit skinnier than usual.  What a quick rebound.  I sort of wish that we could have a 9 week gestation and be back to our pre-pregnant weight 2 minutes after birthing.  Oh well. 

Her sister, Peanut, (our sort of tabbyish cat...now I'm making up words) was looking round as well.  I had no idea when the kittens would arrive until I watched her get cozy in the same box that her sister (and 4 kittens) were residing.  At first I thought that her sister just needed a kitten sitter and wanted to get out of the garage.  But actually, Peanut was a genius.  She let those kittens nurse and stimulated the old oxytocin hormone.  Sure enough, her 3 kittens were born a few hours later, just 5 days after their cousins.  Charlotte stayed with her sister, cleaning off all the kittens and essentially acting as her doula.  Cats are so smart!  

Unfortunately, one of Peanuts kittens was born with multiple anomalies.  I knew it would not survive, but I am like Fern in Charlotte's Web - I could never sit by and watch a runt be killed and I am a horrible softy compared to my friends who are true farmers.  So, I kept an eye on this little one as it nursed like a champ.  Peanut would frequently be seen with her paw snuggling it, as I'm sure she knew that something wasn't right.  It lived for 2 days.  Poor little kitty. 

The biggest challenge?  Keeping the 6 kittens hidden from Samuel.   It will be the best day of his life when he realizes we have 6 more cats to play with.  They just need to be a bit sturdier than they are now....

These kittens are not picky. 

They'll nurse from either cat and be perfectly happy.  

One of Peanuts kittens - the only one that resembles her coloring. 

It is very hard to take pictures of kittens. 

They never stop moving and they never smile for the camera.

A Family, Part Deux

After a fun filled day in St. Louis, we headed north to Bears country.  Land of the White Sox, or Cubs if you roll that way.  The windy city - or windy, raining and FREEZING as our week turned out to be. 

Navy Pier was high priced, but a highly entertaining way to spend the afternoon - which turned out to be the only afternoon that it wasn't raining.  It was really beautiful.   

Who doesn't love rides and popcorn and a toddler dancing on the boardwalk?  And by toddler I'm referring to our toddler, who danced like crazy to the piped in music and made people laugh.  But then I tripped him accidentally and he fell on the concrete.  Why does the fun always have to end?   I digress....

There was true joy visible in our children on this outing.  No, we don't need to do anything extravagant or expensive to see that joy.  We see it everyday as they discover new things and play together.  But taking in the Chicago skyline while having cheese popcorn covered fingers always helps. 

About to enter the tourist zone.....

Riding the Ferris wheel

Once again, not afraid of heights like his Mom.

Riding the wheel and looking sweet.

Ella (in pink) gleefully riding the swings

that make me want to puke just watching....

 I think this one is my favorite. 

Owen runs away when I try to take his picture,

but not after playing 18 holes of mini golf with Daddy. 

BEST DAY EVER!!!!

 This wasn't even posed. 

 Adorable.....watching a water fountain.

A Family, Part One

This family of 5 doesn't get out much.  An attempt is always made to have family dinners and work on projects together over the weekends.  But with Jason's busy job and 1 hour commute, there can be a lack of time for good old family fun.  

The first two days of our trip to Chicago were all about us.  We saw the sites.  We went up really high in the sky.  We got a parking ticket.  That part stunk, but I'm over it.  We frolicked in the grass.  We pushed our comfort level.  It was all really great, except that parking ticket part.  And the part where thousands of people playing soccer took all the hotel rooms in the area kind of stunk too.  I felt like Mary and Joseph without the with-child thing and the donkey and the ending was different.  After needing to stop for ice cream to drowned our woes, we found a hotel room.  It all worked out for the greater good.  

Our first stop was The St. Louis Gateway Arch.  A national monument was a great place to start.  We learned all kind of facts like how tall it is (630 feet) and how long it took to build (2.5 years) and that it can sway 1 inch in 20 mph wind.  I had to google that information because I had forgotten the details and my encyclopedia of a daughter is already in bed.  Why does she remember these things and I don't?  I'm old.  

Two fun Sam memories stick out from that day: calling a stuffed buffalo in the Arch museum a "buffamo" over and over; then as we ate dinner at Union Station, he watched a woman who worked in the food court sweep under his high chair and he promptly said, "Thank you!".  This dear woman was shocked and told him that he made her day.  Classic toddler talk is always endearing.  

I am so thankful that my children haven't inherited, or yet developed, my fear of heights.  Thankfully, the camera is in my hands and I had something much more wonderful to view, those little cherubs. Here are some photo highlights from St. Louis:

Owen took this one while standing directly under the Arch.  Yup, we're going up there.

You want me to ride it what to get to the top?  They made me get in this tiny little pod and ride for 4 minutes.  They MADE me do it.  Those kids are so mean.  Don't they look mean? 

 Sam looking out the view windows from the top - watching the barges on the Mississippi. 

The backsides of my children as they lay on the viewing area looking down 643 feet.

Owen thinks it's pretty cool. 

A crazy shadow on the Mississippi. 

 Ella and the monument.  Both are very dramatic. 

Because I like lying on the ground in public places.....

If Ella wasn't smiling, this may look like something out of COPS.

"I promise kids!  I won't make you do that again!  Now can I please have some ice cream?"

Bunnies! Again!

Don't you just want to snuggle these little cuties?   I guess you can't really snuggle them yet because they are a little wiggly at this age.  But still, they are just so soft and lovable.  Unless you are my Mom, who despises what rabbits do to her garden.  Then I understand if you don't love them. 

The difference in size and color of these two litter mates is striking. 

We have 5 - 2 with brown and 3 with gray markings- that will be for sale in mid May. 

You need one. 

Really, you do. 

A Date

Ella loves to write letters to Daddy while he is away at work.  They usually end up being taped to our bedroom door for him to discover.  Sometimes they contain her narrative of our Bible verse for the day.  Other times they are just simple wishes for his day.

This was one he received last month.  Unfortunately, she inherited my gene for spelling.

He said he would love to.

She began planning what they would both wear and what restaurant they would go to.  Here were the choices for food:

Her excitement built each day.  This note was left on the kitchen table the night before the big date.  She was lucky for spell check on this one.

I snapped a photo of them, wearing the outfits Ella had chosen, just before they left. 

They ate at Skoops, a local malt shop and burger joint (that happens to have the best malts known to man), and discussed the drama of 6-year-old life - along with other important world happenings. 

I hope her future husband knows what he will have to live up to.  

And One More Makes 23

Our goat, Zoe, became a proud mama to Little Boy Blue last Tuesday.  He was born weighing just over 9 pounds and bumped our total animal count to 23 (if you count the litter of 5 bunnies that was born the same morning).  But if you ask Owen, he will tell you we have 1023 animals.  Let us not forget our worms. They are animals to the 4 year old.

The birth of Blue has allowed me to stop pacing around the house like a nervous auntie.  The kids were waking for days with the question, "Any babies yet?" and I was tired of searching the internet for information.  I had gathered all the recommended supplies and then just waited - checking on Zoe as often as I could to look for changes.  I didn't really know what "changes" I would see, but the internet told me to check on her.  So we did.

Jason thought I was a bit strange (no big surprise) when I told him that we should check on her once in the middle of the night.  What I really meant was that HE should check on her because it sounded like a husbandly thing to do - go out in to the dark barn at 3 a.m. in the cold.

It was the second night of his 3 a.m. alarm that I heard him call my name.  I think he yelled, "There's a baby on the ground!!!" and I'm pretty sure I yelled while still asleep, "Is it alive?".  I guess I was a little nervous that something would happen and I wouldn't be there to save the day.  I'm certain that my lack of trust in the natural animal birth process goes back to my programming as a woman that birth is a medical event and not just a birth.  Don't get me started......Thankfully, our goat hasn't been fed negative birth images and was perfectly happy to birth alone in a barn.  God knew what he was doing with those barn births all along. 

Back to the story at hand.

I went running outside, just seconds behind Jason, and we were both in awe when we saw Zoe cleaning off this little, perfect goat.

Jason lost all control of the volume of his voice as he recapped what had happened in the minutes prior to me jumping out of bed.   I had to tell him to be quiet about 10 times so that he didn't disturb the goats.   It was pretty fun to see him as excited as I was, not to mention that I would no longer be crazy for telling him to get up at 3 a.m.

Jason filled me in on the details: he had entered the barn just as the goat was presenting, meaning that he saw the nose and two hooves coming first.  Thanks to my internet research, he knew that was the right position, so he dashed back to the house, grabbed the "birth kit", yelled for me to come.  We both missed the birth, but we were so thankful that Zoe had all the perfect motherly instincts kick in.   

Besides a little encouragement to find where the milk comes out, Little Blue has done very well.  Zoe is a  protective mom, but let's us handle and visit with Blue while she supervises and tolerates being milked. Everyone in our family now knows how to milk a goat, which is pretty cute.   

I think I might need to order Jason overalls for his birthday. 
 

Days Like Today

It's days like today when I wonder why I let my garage space be passed on to our rabbits for the winter.  I am a sucker for those animals.   We've had 19 inches and it's still falling.  Please don't ask why I didn't have the foresight to put my car in the other garage.  I.....I.......well, um, I'm not sure why I didn't do that.  Silly me.  

It's days like today when I reminisce on the bygone days, like 9 days ago when it was 65 degrees.  The kids and I played with the goats and Jason went golfing.  And it was the end of January.  Those were the days.  

Here is a nod to that sunny Sunday: 

Well, hello Amaya.  I love you too.  Can you tell she is trying to kiss me?  She is just like a dog - tail wagging and lots of licks for her owners.  She loves the nice weather as much as we do. 

Ella is game for a little smooch. 

We are a bit strange in our house.  We sort of "love" the bipolar weather that Kansas is having this winter.  It feels like the best of both worlds; we watch the kids and dog frolic in the snow, then lap up the sunshine a few days later as we see the grass appear.   And I certainly don't mind when Daddy gets to stay home from work due to the snow.  We could all get used to that perk. 


Today's dumping will be around for a little longer than an average Kansas snow fall.  So we are hunkering down for the long haul and beginning to wonder who out there has a plow for our driveway.  Anyone?  Anyone?  Bueller? 

Wednesday Randoms

It's too late to think clearly in my congested head.  Maybe it's writers block, or the fact that my sinuses make me feel like I would be better off without them.  I stooped low today when I went to the doctor and begged for antibiotics.  I never take antibiotics.  This head is bound and determined to feel better by tomorrow at 4:15 when my plan takes off for Vegas.  I will feel like a million bucks.  And Barry Manilow will call me up on stage and sing to me in that heart-melting voice. 

I'm not really going to see Barry in Vegas.  But I would if he was in town.  He'll be in Florida.  Jerk. 

I will, however, see my amazing girlfriends from college.  And as Jason said tonight, "You are all going to have so much fun!".  

Yes. Yes we are. 

Here are few random facts about life here on the farm.  (I've decided I can call it a farm now because we have goats, but I am not planning on becoming a farmer any time soon)......

• In case you missed the plane writing in the sky, or the overhead announcement on the speakers in every public place, Ella is 6.5 years old now.  We made cupcakes and sang.  It's a big deal to the 6.5 year old.  She even told me, "Sometimes I forget and tell people I am 6, but really I am 6 and a half!!".  Don't forget.  
• Owen is continually subjected to becoming a Prince.  He is told to dress up in very specific outfits and marry his sister.  He usually obliges because he is so nice and as long as it doesn't take time away from his Lego creations or garbage dump activities or couch jumping gymnastics, he is o.k. with it.  What a great brother.  He can be seen wearing a chocolate milk mustache on a regular basis since we found Dark Chocolate Almond Milk at the grocery store.  I think he is obsessed. 
• Sam won't kiss me.  When I ask him for a kiss, he turns his head to the side and points to his own cheek and has that sly little grin.  What does this mean for his future?  I will not dwell.....Watching him play with the big kids makes me feel like he isn't a baby anymore.  Sigh.  He talks more everyday, especially when his siblings teach him words.  I just wish those words would encompass more than just "potty" talk.  Poor third child.  
• We had significant snow fall last week for Kansas and I chose to make the best of it - which says a lot for this Mama who loves 60 degrees and sunny weather.  I took the 3 kids sledding on a genuine sledding hill.  It was fantastic and the hour was full of so much laughter.  I was very proud at how appropriately dressed we all were in our Minnesota hearty winter wear.  The Kansans looked on in amazement of our dress and our sledding skills. 
• We have two goats.  They are wonderful.  They wag their tails like dogs when they are happy to see you.  They give me kisses because they love me (and would like to eat my nose) and they seem to enjoy it here.  However, how do I get one of them to stop charging the dog with her head?  How do I get the other to not chew on the dogs fur?  These are the things I ponder each day.  Fascinating, really. 
• I love my husband.  Don't be fooled by the fact that I write this after the goat information.  I really do love him.  He strives each day to be a great Dad and husband.  I love watching the kids attack him with hugs when he comes in the door after work.  I love falling asleep in his arms.  
• Our dog is trying to bury her beef tendon stick, as I type, in any room with pillows.  She is frantically digging in the couches and seems a bit disturbed.  Strange dog.  And random, I know. 
• I made guacamole today that was good.  Now my hands smell like garlic, which is bad.  

Let's not forget the cute bunnies followed by cute goats. 

 

If I don't fly away with Barry, I'll be seen back on the farm next week. I wonder how much laundry will be awaiting my return?  

Sap and Such

In exactly 8 hours, it will be the one year anniversary of a giant orange moving truck pulling up to our bright yellow house and taking everything with it, down I-35, to an unassuming town in Kansas.

Last year was a heavy one for us. This year has been full of big one year marks: Sam's birthday, my stroke and the move.  This year has been full of remembrance, thankfulness, new beginnings, challenges and excitement.

I tend to be a bit of a sap.  Things can get me right here (cue Chris Farley pounding on his chest for a visual).  Looking at the forgotten photos that were taken the day of the move, and the weeks leading to that day, brought back so many memories, great memories, and some tears.

I honestly do not think I have cried, or let myself cry, about the fact that we moved away from family, friends and our home, until tonight.  That may seem odd - but part of you must look forward during times of transition, trusting in God's guidance and following in faith.   I'm not talking about stuffing your emotions, but not allowing yourself to stumble on the pain of something that isn't your reality. 

Do not underestimate the joy we have in our lives here in Kansas.  That is very present and real.  We continue to be in awe of the new opportunities we have been given and the support of new friends.  Tonight is just a walk in the past....one that is a bit overdue. 


These photos were taken a year ago.  I love them.

Ella was standing in our yard, with a fantastic tree from the neighbors yard in the background.  I loved this tree and would take a picture of it every year.

 This one was taken in our front yard.  You can tell that Ella is my little ham for the camera.

  Ella and Sam....I forgot how chubby he was. 

 Jason and the kids sliding down the "hill" in front of our house.  Yes, snow in October.  And I love how you can't even see Sam's face. 

Beast

Meet Beast......

He is a lop-eared rabbit  who has recently been on a dramatic ride (by 6 year old standards).  His story goes something like this:

It's Christmas 2007.  Santa brings 3 year old Ella a very big bunny.  Santa even got the bunny for free, which is really great.  Santa loves free gifts.  Ella lovingly names the bunny "Beast" after her current Disney fascination.  

  

Beast quickly becomes a companion that must go everywhere and do everything with dear Ella.  (Note to Santa: don't give very large stuffed animals that may end up going everywhere with a child....Thanks....).  

Beast finds his sleeping spot next to sweet Ella - taking up more of the toddler bed that she did.  Beast rode along in the car and attended overnights at Grandma and Grandpa's house.  He was dressed in clothes, jumped on, cried on, had band-aids for all his boo-boos,  thrown down the stairs and fed avocado.  He was taken care of with the greatest love a child can give.  

Beast made the cut-throat reduction of stuffed animals prior to the family moving to Kansas.  Beast even survived the 2 garage sales and many trips to donation centers while in Kansas.  But it became clear (at least to the Mom in this story) that Beast was now living in the closet.  He hadn't been played with for a very long time.  

Fast forward to last week when sweet Ella asks, "Mom, where is Beast?  I miss him so much".  Really?  After MONTHS of never talking about Beast, suddenly he is missed.  Mom's heart sinks.  Certainly Beast has been donated.  No, wait, he was too ratty and nasty to donate.  Certainly he has been thrown away!

Everyday Ella asks if Beast has been found.  Everyday Mom suggests playing with another of the 1 million stuffed toys in the house.  But they just won't do.  

By some divine intervention, Mom thinks it would be great to organize the garage.  An empty box is pulled down from on top another.....and low and behold...it isn't empty at all.  There he is, in all his nastiness, Beast.  Mom could have cried.  She will no longer have to apply for "Worst Mother of the Year Award".  At least not today.  

Beast will likely be around for some time. 

Little Musicians

It may be a while before the violin sounds pleasing to the ear, but watching them learn to play an instrument is pretty cute.  I must sacrifice my ears for the greater good. 

It gives me high blood pressure when Owen holds his instrument that is worth more money than all of his toys put together.  I will ignore that problem for his development as a budding musician.

They played in little concert this weekend.  

There are no photos of that because I had to squat next to them in case of a major catastrophe.  Luckily, there were only adorable, tiny kids playing Twinkle Twinkle Little Star together and taking a bow at the end. 

Sniff.  Sniff. 

 He is concentrating so hard...

 This girls wants to practice all the time.  Wonder how long that will last?

 Wearing their performance attire -