Young Visitors!

Not so very long ago, a lovely young lady, Miss H, used to spend time with us on our farm.  Her father married our daughter and time passed.  Miss H went on to have her own three children and then moved far away - at least a 70 minute drive!  Life happened - the years passed - and Miss H met the man of her dreams and married. (It's all a little confusing so I will leave it at that.)  After the wedding ceremony, Papa G and Mama T took the grandchildren home with them for a whole week while the honeymoon happened.  Which meant JR and I got lucky and were able to spend time with these sweet, almost grown, active, intuitive, children - ages 13, 11, and 8.  Which also meant they discovered the freezer and refrigerator at the barn that is typically stocked, in the warmer months, with cold drinks and ice cream.  Which led to a discussion on how eating nutritious meals was important to growing bodies, which made everyone hungry, which led to us all eating supper together on a few nights. Thank goodness for Little Caesars and my old friend Colonial Sanders!

A beautiful bride with her husband's family taken by Meme T using her cell phone.



THE FOLLOWING DAY........

JR gave a lecture on the way things are done on the farm.  More specifically, how Big A (to the left wearing the bright orange shirt) was going to corral his two cows and give them a treatment for worms since the main herd had already been "worked".  Not an easy feat to accomplish!

While the guys headed after the cows, Miss N and Miss M discovered the joys of the sandbox.

Finally,  the lone two cows are chased into the catch pen by JR and Mr. K. while Big A and Papa G stand ready with the worm treatment.

Miss N and Miss H watch the activity from a safe distance.....

     

Big A and Papa G, with a bit of hollering, chased the cows into the holding shoot...

Then they poured the worm medicine onto the cows back.....no painful shots for these two girls!

Finally, the cows were turned lose while we scrambled onto a trailer "just in case" those freed bovines headed our way!

Once the medicine was put away, it was time to take the "kids" riding on the farm.  There goes Papa G with Miss N driving.  

Miss N and Miss H pose for a picture at the Longhollow pasture.

Big A and Mr. K got sidetracked but eventually found us. Boys being boys, they had to detour through the trees and up the mountain side - the more difficult the better!!

We came across a mama cow and her pretty little newborn calf cooling off in the shade.

This mama decided it was time for a bath!

Miss M loved visiting with the donkeys and listening to them "hee-haw"!

As the day heated up, Play Doh and painting became the thing to do.

Even the "Little Cowboy" gave up the Play Doh for a paint brush.

Miss N enjoyed painting nature scenes.  

Miss M enjoyed painting people......

......and blowing bubbles!!

THE NEXT DAY

After performing various chores around the farm.....

Mr. K took the "bucket challenge"!  

Then,  Miss M took the "bucket challenge"!

 Not to be undone, the "Little Cowboy" removed his clothes and jumped in the tub of water - followed by Miss M.  Seems like these two were competing to see who could jump in the tub of water the fastest!

 Looks like I am going to have to shrink the kids or buy a bigger tub!!

 Shortly, JR called all the kids over to "take a look".  One "Little Cowboy" was so excited he didn't even bother to put on clothes!  (Warning!!  A "streaker" is running around lose at the farm!)

After examining the various silver coins, JR let each one select their favorite silver coin/bar to keep as a memento.  

Miss N taking her turn driving the Mule back "home" to Meme T's and Papa G's while Mr. K and
Big A forged ahead on the four wheeler.  There was a little "discussion" on who was going to drive and for how long.  Of course, everyone took a turn, but the squabbling, according to Meme T,  continued until midnight!  Did you know that siblings/cousins can tell down to a "nano second" who got to drive longer?  Amazing!

As I end this post, I am thinking that the wild blackberries will be ripening soon and picking time is just around the corner! What better way to make more farm memories!
Dee Dee

3rd Birthday Madness!

It's hard to believe the "Little Cowboy" has turned three years old! I remember when he preferred his bottle of milk to Ninja Turtles.  Why, last year he didn't even know what a Ninja Turtle was. Come to think of it, neither did I.  But, all good grandmothers, sooner or later, learn about "BOY STUFF"!  Ninja Turtles, Paw Patrol, Thomas and Friends, Super Heroes, etc. etc.  Anyway, a big Birthday Splash was planned with Leonardo, the Blue Ninja Turtle, the star of the show!  However, the weather was not cooperating the week leading up to the party.  It rained EVERY day.  Not just a little bit but true gully washers!  I feared we would never get the lawn mowed and would have to change the birthday theme to Tarzan of the Jungle!  Thankfully, that did not happen and the lawn was mowed - barely - as there was a break in the clouds for one half of one half of one half of a day.  Whoopie!!   Sadly, once the main yard was mowed, the skies again opened up so the weed eater just sat and gathered dust.  Needless to say, for two days leading up to the Birthday Splash, all I could do was pray, "Please Lord, don't let it rain on Saturday!"  Whatever would I do with six, two and three-year-old boys running around in the house?  Because as you all know, if one runs, they all run; if one screams, they all scream; if one has to go to the bathroom, they ALL have to go to the bathroom; if one falls down, they all fall down!  It's just a fact of life....

THE DAY BEFORE......

 The yard looked bland and colorless so Big A and I set out to the garden center to purchase a bit of excitement in the form of blooming plants!  (Fifteen-year-old boys who have their driver's permit and a "new" truck to drive, make wonderful chauffeurs.  And their price is pretty reasonable too.)

 Three wagons full should just about do it.  At least on the first go-around.

 I could not have lifted all these potted plants by myself.  Thanks Big A!!

THE BIG DAY ARRIVED - I WAS AFRAID TO PEEK OUT THE WINDOW.  WOULD THE WORLD BE CLOUDY AND GRAY OR BREEZY AND CLEAR??  

I opened my eyes and......

SUNSHINE!!  BLUE SKIES!!  WARM TEMPS! A WONDERFUL BREEZY DAY!!

(A prayer of "thanks" was definitely offered up.)

 The fun began with a bit of "fishing"....

 Then it was time for squirt guns and sliding....

 These little guys were having a wonderful time.  Anyone who ventured to close was bombarded with water from the water pistols.....which were filled, and refilled, and refilled, and refilled........

 Two squirt guns in hand are better than one in the water.....

 Lots of new faces in this bunch.....HUNGRY faces! 

 Big kids, little kids, even newborn babies!!.......

 Hot dogs, chips, and juice for the "small fry".....and "BIG fry"....

Presents patiently waiting to be opened.....

 This  "Little Ninja Turtle" had lots of help when it came to tearing paper.......

 So many really neat toys....(Looks like "Big A" couldn't wait to try out a few.)

An endless sea of bags and boxes........ 

 Well, almost endless....."Yep, that's the end of the line boys!"

 Time for the "big kids" to clean up while the "small fry" take a ride around the farm.  I think we may have set a Guinness Record for most kids on a Mule!!

"Leonardo" prepares to defend his territory....

"How many times do I have to say "cheese"?

"Yes, a Ninja sword cuts much better than a knife - ask any Ninja Turtle."

Blowing out the Ninja candles....

Enjoying ice cream and cake.  Yummy!.....

Another dip in the pools to wash off all the sticky....then....

...The Great Ninja Turtle Bubble Hunt....

Finding Ninja Bubbles is similar to finding Easter Eggs.  There are always a few that are never found or show up weeks or months later....just sitting there.....and you wonder how in the world were they not seen????.....

The balloons began to droop as the last guest left the party.  The party hosts were drooping also!   JR and I just sat outside for an hour or more and listened to the silence......wonderful, peaceful silence.  Hmmmm.....now what theme will the "Little Cowboy"  pick for next year?

Feeling Contented,

Dee Dee