The Farm Report

Category: Shep

  • A Boy and His Blob

    A Boy and His Blob

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    A while back I bought a game for the Wii called A Boy and His Blob. We pulled it out recently, and it turns out the kids LOVE IT. Particularly Shep, who is clearly going to be our video game junkie.

    When the video game is off, Shep has been wandering around the house sighing, and wishing he had his own Blob. So while Shep and Ellery were at school, Tom and Ellery ran to the fabric store and got the makings for blobs.

    By the time I got home from work, Tom had booked time with the sewing machine, and there were three blobs bouncing around our house. And three VERY happy children.

    Photos by Tom

  • Birdhouses

    Birdhouses

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    The kids were home from school today, in celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr. Because they’re so young, this is a tricky holiday to talk about. I’m not sure it’s quite time to introduce the nitty-gritty of the topic, but we should talk about the man himself, and his message that showing love, respect, and kindness to all was the best means to an end.

    Early in the afternoon, Neko came wandering into the living room and said she’d noticed two birds on the leafless tree outside her window. “They need a birdhouse,” she decided.

    And that seemed like a great way to begin a conversation. We talked a bit about thinking about others, and how to help make sure they get what they need. We can help give the birds shelter and protection, and in turn, they help our eco-system by controlling the insect population and disseminating seeds. When we take care of each other, the world we share is a much better place.

    I happened to have these birdhouses in my stash, so each child spent the afternoon decorating their house, and as the sun began to set, we hung them one by one. Three little people, making their contribution. A small gesture of kindness, but full of spirit.

  • Gone sledding

    Gone sledding

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  • There’s a hole in me pocket

    There’s a hole in me pocket

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    Shep comes running out of his bedroom during quiet time, bursting with giggles. I notice the red piece of play-doh perched on his upper lip.

    Seeing my furrow brow, he busts out, “I'm Ringo!”

  • Favorite gifts

    Favorite gifts

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    Calico Critters family and house, Lego boom box (and the resulting endless dance party), and an American Girl doll.

  • Jam session

    Jam session

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    Good grief, things have been bonkers around here.

    The holiday season is always brutal, and we’re in the thick of it. Throw in a few extra crazy things and then I can’t even remember the last time I picked up the camera for anything other than work.

    But I managed to locate it just in time to snap these grainy photos of our local rock star, jamming in the kitchen.

  • Pizza night

    Pizza night

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    Tom attempts professional dough throwing. Neko insists on doing every bit of it herself. Ellery uses half a bag of cheese on her pizza alone.

    And Shep? He crams as many black olives in his mouth as he possibly can before we cut him off.

  • Outside

    Outside

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    I’m vowing to get the kids outside for at least ten minutes a day this winter. We all need the sunshine, vitamin D, and fresh air. I think I’m going to be the biggest obstacle in all this, as I’m a complete wimp about the cold.

    But today? We made it out for quite a dance party on the hay wagon.

  • Capes! (And a long overdue thank you.)

    Capes! (And a long overdue thank you.)

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    When my uncle Keith blew into town for Farm Day, he brought with him some really wonderful gifts for the kids. Handmade capes for each of the children, crafted by my aunt Becky.

    I should point out that my aunt Becky is a professional seamstress who sews costumes for a theatre company, so these weren’t just any capes. These have their initial sewed on the back with carefully detailed necks, even nicer than these ones I’ve admired online.

    So Susie and I are finally getting around to saying a huge THANK YOU to Becky for all her hard work. They are gorgeous, and our superheroes are putting them to good use!

  • Decorated

    Decorated

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    It mostly went off without a hitch. There was the requisite arguing over ornaments. Ellery wanting “the one with the button!” Then when I finally con Neko into giving it to her, she threw herself to the floor wailing because it wasn’t a real button.

    And why, oh, why can’t we ever find all three of the ornaments that are personalized?

    But other than the few hiccups, it really felt very Christmas-y.