Happy Birthday Eaden!

First I would like to say Happy 6th Birthday to my beautiful daughter Eaden!

Today I am taking the oldest three to see The Croods at the movie theatre and then Eaden has gymnastics. We had a little party for Eaden and Taven at our house this past weekend.

 I have to include this next picture because it's my favorite. This is the little brother of a gymnastics friend. I told him "say cheese" and he did this!

 Here is Eaden with a new purse and some fab shoes she received as presents.

 I let some of the kids hold our new baby chicks. Yes new. The two chicks we had were killed by a stray cat. I thought I'd let them out for a bit (it was warm and they were over two weeks old). Well they really enjoyed themselves for a while. We were constantly checking up on them. Then one was gone. The next day I put the other in the coop with the door closed. I guess she escaped through a small hole in the back and then she was gone. 

I bought three new chicks over the weekend: A Buff Orpington, Barred Rock, and Black Austrolorp.

 And we finished the fence!

Welcome Spring.

Spring starts tomorrow!

But the signs of Spring have been evident here for a while.

Our baby chicks had their first look at the world.

Auntie Hen had a crazy look in her eye. Too crazy.

Green arriving quickly and spreading.

 Flowers for some color (we are still working on the vegetables).

 Carrots from the farmer's market.

 Bathing Robins.

  "Mom! Look what I found in the compost pile!" Okay maybe I should check out a book on composting again...

We welcome Spring. Although I admit, Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons, I am always ready for the new season when it arrives. Bring on the heat! No No wait I take it back, I take it back!

Happy Birthday Taven!

Taven turns 3 today! A fighter, a challenger, a creator...of pounding headaches. My St. Patrick's Day baby. 

Does 3 mean it gets easier?

Here he is this morning.

"Mom I really want to swing from this branch (twig), but I can't reach it."

 "Taven, I think that branch is too small. It will break."

And in reply: 

"No it won't! I want to swing from it!"

He will press and press and press and never give up. Not a quitter that one (I held him up to grab the branch and, of course, break it).

We always pound clovers for Taven's birthday. We made a little bunting this year.

 Taven helped bake his birthday cake. And even got to pour the flour!

 My husband took him to buy a toy tractor and we prepared to surprise him when they returned.

 Surprise!

Cheers! ...and water all over the table.

I've been working on creating a daily rhythm by the way. I'm going to start with simply waking everyone up at the same time (8am?), eating breakfast, lunch, and dinner together at the table, and getting everyone to bed before (10pm?). When we have that established I can focus scheduling what we do between meals. Oh! I need to plan meals! I think it will really help...but I should probably get some food first.

Grandpa's Farm