Farewell Field Day

It was a perfect day for field day. It was about 70 degrees and sunny all afternoon. The kids (and the adults) all had a great time doing the different activities that Mr. Kasper planned for them. The highlight of the day was the dunk tank. Mr. Kasper volunteered to sit in the dunk tank and picked students to try and knock him in. They all did! It was so much fun! Another field day in the books. So many great memories!

Duck Pool

Yesterday we did a lot of work outside. It was hot! I noticed that the ducks were going in their pool, but there was only a tiny bit of water in it. They seemed so disappointed. So I brought it up into the main chicken yard and filled it up with water. It didn't take long before they were splashing around like crazy having the best time. Those ducks just love to swim! 

Memorial Day

Not just another holiday, but a day to remember the sacrifices of all the fallen heroes who lost their lives defending our freedom. Today and every day, thank you! 🇺🇸

We spent this beautiful Memorial Day out in the sunshine (and rain) weeding and planting our gardens. I made a rhubarb pie and Chris grilled ribs. In the evening, Chris got a text from his friend Jeff asking what to do about a honey bee swarm in the bush out by his mailbox. I grabbed my gear and headed his way. We cut the branch out of the bush and got them into a nuc box. The queen must have been in there because all, well most, of the other bees followed.  Now we have eight hives! (I couldn't spot the queen, but I'll check again in a few days.) Thanks, Jeff! 

Indy Party

We drove to Dayton and back for my parents' annual "Indianapolis 500" party. The kids had a great time playing with their cousins, and it was nice visiting with almost all of my brothers and sisters and Mom and Dad. The food was very good, as always. The weather was outstanding. Although not all of the usual friends could make it this year, it was still a great day. And I think there was a race on TV, but I'm not entirely sure. 

Run and Fun

I started out the day with a 2 1/2 mile run. It was hard, but I felt pretty good. I'd like to do more running, so I'm going to try to keep at it. Then we went to the farmers market in Adrian. It was our first trip to the market this year due to soccer on Saturday mornings. Then we came home, had lunch, and I did some housework. (I just realized that I hate that word for some reason and almost changed it. But that's what it was.) Anyway, then it was church followed by supper and some whiffle ball with the kids. Later some friends came over to see the farm. That was fun! The kids especially had a blast. Now I'm exhausted from a very busy, but fun day. 

Our New Piglets

We got two new pigs today. It's a breeding pair. We named them Celia and Wendall after a favorite song of ours. They are nearly the same age as our piglets. Chris put all the piglets together this afternoon and everyone seems to get along great. When the kids and I got home they were all one little piglet posse grazing together. 

Egg Drop

Today was the annual Egg Drop at school. The TEAM students and fourth graders each had the opportunity to build a contraption that would protect an egg when dropped from very high atop the lift arm of an Radant Electrical's lift truck. Maelle's contraption was a peanut container filled with Easter grass and yarn attached to a parachute that Chris helped her make. She and Chris practiced dropping it from the hay loft a couple of days ago, and it worked perfectly. Today in the actual Egg Drop, her egg remained nearly completely in tact with one tiny hairline fracture. It was counted as a win since the egg didn't actually break and nothing spilled out. Thank goodness for our super-strong eggs!

Flowers

I came into my office this morning to find these beautiful flowers from some third and fourth graders. They are beautiful and smell lovely. It was very kind of these girls to think of me. Working with the kids is my favorite part of my journey job. 

Chicken Bands

Today Chris noticed that the leg band we had put on one of our chickens to help identify her was cutting into her leg. He, Benny, and I went out to the chicken yard to catch her and cut it off before it did any serious damage. While we were out there we decided to cut all the bands off, to be safe. We don't want anything to happen to our girls. It was pretty funny trying to catch those speedy little birds. Once we finally caught each one, I held her while Chris cut the band off. They hate to be caught, but love to snuggle in when being held. We were too busy to take pictures while we were chasing them down, so I took one after we were finished. 

Guest Speaker

I was a guest speaker in third grade science class today. The topic was honey bees and beekeeping. I was excited to share some of the many things I've learned about honey bees since we got our first hives three years ago. The learners seemed very interested and also very knowledgeable. This topic is pertinent right now as they transition from a unit on animals to a unit on plants. There is a delicate balance in nature between the two, and in my opinion, honey bees are a clear example of the mutualistic relationship between them. 

GOTR 5K

We had so much fun at the Girls on the Run 5K this morning! What an awesome event! Maelle struggled a little bit in the middle of he run due to a cramp, but she hung in there and was able to finish strong. I was so proud of her. I really enjoyed it, and it has inspired me to want to do more running and even more 5K's. I would love to do more with Maelle, too. It was awesome to be there with her. Chris and Benny cheered us on and took some pictures. I think it will be a day that none of us will soon forget. Girls on the Run is so much fun! 

Benny's Team

Benny had team pictures followed by a game against Onsted today. The teams were pretty well matched for the first half, going into half time tied at 2. Benny had scored one of the goals for his team. Unfortunately during the second half, the Gold Team seemed to run out of steam. I'm not sure what the final score was, but it was more than 2 to 2. We saw more passing and team play from Gold, so that was good. One more game, and then the tournament. 

Sleepover

The boys talked us into another sleepover tonight. We really don't mind at all. They always have a nice time. Tonight they are watching Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. Then it's off to bed. I'm tired! 

Hot Dog

It was hot today, in the high 80's. Winston does not seem to like it. He was really panting a lot and went through several full bowls of water. He just couldn't seem to get comfortable. Thankfully with the fan on in our bedroom it's not too hot. Winston found a spot on our bed and just melted into it. When Chris got out of the shower, Winston couldn't help cuddling up to him and giving him kisses. It didn't last long. I think he realized that it's too hot to snuggle and went and sat on the floor by himself. 

Runner Girls

This is the last week of Girls on the Run, with the culminating event being the 5K at U of M on Sunday.  At practice today, the girls got special hair ties for each quarter mile lap they completed. Maelle and her friend Lily wanted to be twinnies, so they made sure to get all the same hair ties and put them in the same places. They are so cute! 

Weaned

The piglets seem to be doing quite well without their mamas hanging around. They are now eating some grain and grass. I got the pleasure of feeding them last night and was happy with how independent and grown up they seem. It's cute how they all hang out in a little pig pack. They all came barreling over together when they realized it was feeding time. It seems their Piggy instincts have kicked in. 

Kid Cooks

Tonight on our way home from school, the kids asked me the customary daily question, "What's for supper?" I literally had no idea. I hadn't even thought about it, and I knew we hadn't taken anything out of the freezer. Not to mention they had piano lessons at 6:30, so there wasn't time to really make anything. When I relayed all of this to them, Benny proclaimed that he would cook tonight. That sounded good to me considering the headache I had when we got home. Benny looked around and saw the tortilla chips in the cupboard. He decide to make "Supreme Nachos with Extra Cheese." Maelle was interested in making her own supper too and opted for salami cooked in the microwave and some chips. I told them both they could have that as long as they had an apple and a banana too. That was the best I could do to provide a healthy supper tonight. We'll try again tomorrow (but with Girls on the Run followed by soccer, all bets are off.) You've gotta love May! 

Mother's Day

When I got up this morning, there were cards and presents waiting for me on the kitchen table. My wonderful family was so sweet and kind. I love them all so much! After we showered and got dressed, we went to the Mother's Day brunch at church. Then we came home and moved the mama pigs back out to the front pasture. Poor Miss Piggy. She seemed miserable to be separated from her babies. Audrey couldn't have cared less. In the afternoon, I made a rhubarb pie before heading out to the bee hives with Maelle to make some splits. I'm praying they work. I tried a new method of notching the frames to encourage the queenless hives to make new queens. I'll check them next weekend. Then Chris grilled pork chops and I made a salad. Of course, we had delicious pie for dessert. It was a beautiful day! Happy Mother's Day to all the moms I know and love! 

Soccer Saturday

I finally made it one of Benny's soccer games. It was a gorgeous day for soccer! Benny got quite a bit of playing time and assisted in the scoring of one goal. Overall he played pretty well. After soccer the kids and I had lunch at Tim Horton's and went to the library. Other than that it was a typical Saturday. 

Yarn Book

This is the book Maelle chose from the library last week. I love all her crafty hobbies. She really wants to learn how to knit and crochet. It reminds me of my mom who is really good at all of that stuff. 

Last child in the Woods

Benny and his buddy have been building a fort in the woods by school and playing in it after school. I love that he is spending this time in nature. It reminds me of a great book that I read called, Last Child in the Woods. It's about how important it is for children to spend time in nature learning to appreciate nature. Otherwise, there will be no one left to care about and to care for our precious earth. I have not always been the best example of spending time outdoors, but I've gotten a lot better the last few years, especially since we moved to the farm. I hope my own kids will continue to enjoy and appreciate nature and choose to spend their happiest times there. 

A.C.E.S. Day and Stray Pigs

Today was the annual All Children Exercising Simultaneously event at school. Mr. Kasper planned a really fun afternoon for our learners. It was also Dress Like Mr. Kasper Day. Maelle was really excited about that. 

Later, while I was picking Maelle up from gymnastics at 8:00, Chris calls and tells me there are two stray pigs in our yard. Only, the call was breaking up and all I heard was * found * two * pigs * yard. I assumed the worst, thinking something terrible had happened to two of our pigs. Thankfully they were the neighbor's 4H pigs and they came over and we eventually got them loaded into Butte so Chris could drive them home. 

Mock 5K

Maelle had her Girls on the Run Mock 5K today in preparation for the real 5K that she will be running in on May 21st. I didn't get to see it, but she said she did pretty well. I definitely think she enjoyed it and felt proud of her accomplishment. I also signed up to run the 5K, so maybe we'll run together. That would be pretty fun!

My Own Book

The kids' piano teacher, Mrs. wilson, also plays piano at church. Tonight when I dropped the kids off for their lesson she handed me my very own copy of the psalm music for the entire year. When I laughed, she said it had nothing to do with my goof up yesterday. I am just happy that I'll have the music in advance so I can practice as much as I want. I'll be singing again in a couple of weeks. 

Days Like This

I have been the cantor at church several times now since I started doing it in December. Today started off with 10:30 mass during which I was the cantor and Maelle was part of the May Crowning. Things were going well until I lost my place during a verse of the psalm. It was awful. I tried to find my place, but I just had to wait until the refrain to catch up. I was able to finish the last couple verses unscathed. some very nice people came up to me after mass and complimented me for doing a nice job despite the obvious mistake. Although it was horribly embarrassing, I'm glad I was able to keep it together and keep going. I will just make sure I practice a lot more before next time. In happier news, we went out to eat with Clive, Gloria, and Justin at Dan's in Saline. Chris and I both ordered peanut butter burgers. They were amazing, as usual. We had a very nice time. The next time we will see Clive and Gloria will likely be at the cottage. We are looking forward to spending some warm summer days at the lake!

First Communion

Today was a very special day. It was Maelle's First Communion. It was even more special because she wore the same dress I wore when I made my First Communion over 30 years ago. Even more, it was my Grandma Sally's dress when she made hers 104 years ago! I couldn't help feeling emotional seeing her in the special dress on this most happy occasion. Both my parents and Chris's parents were here.  It was so great to see them and spend the afternoon with them. Chris's parent drove all the way from Arizona. Maelle's Godparents, Aunt Cheryl and Uncle Mark also drove down with Tony and Bella, and we got to see Lindsay, Nathan and Justin. I think Maelle enjoyed the day and felt very special. I am so thankful that God has blessed us with her.

Cinco de Mayo

We had nachos for supper tonight because it's Cinco de mayo. They were delicious! 

Journal

I bought this journal last weekend at Hobby Lobby when we were out picking up the last few things we needed to finish Maelle's First Communion banner. I would like to write a book someday, and I've had some ideas floating around in my head. I'd like to capture them and see what develops. Even if it's nothing anyone else will ever read, I'm excited about the prospect of doing some real writing. Although I haven't written anything in it yet, this journal may be just what I need to help me get started. 

Piglet Update

The piglets are getting so big, but they are still super cute. They love to romp around with each other, running and chasing one another. They all seem to have taken to Miss Piggy as their mother. Audrey just kind of does her own thing. Pretty soon, when they are weaned, I guess it won't matter. They will all be moved out of the barn yard and into the front pasture. 

Bacon and Eggs

This picture is from Saturday morning. We cooked bacon from our own pigs for the first time and used eggs from our own chickens. The bacon was delicious! The toast was even made with homemade bread. If I liked honey, I might have even included honey from our hives in this meal. It is so satisfying eating food that we literally know exactly where it came from and how it was produced because we are the ones producing it. Next, to get a couple cows so we can drink our own milk and make our own butter! 

Bike Safety

We are so fortunate that one of our parents is a police officer who teaches lessons on bike safety. He volunteered his time today to come in and speak to our first and second grade classes. Here he is sharing important bike safety tips with Maelle's class and the other second grade. He did a great job and the students really enjoyed his visit.