The Farm Report

Category: Shep

  • Tree, tree, tree

    Tree, tree, tree

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    We got rid of the Xmas tree today. The needles were falling off at lightning speed, and I really missed the real estate in the play area. Nonetheless, saying goodbye to the tree is always sad. It leaves a gaping hole in your living space, and even though the holidays are hectic, it reminds me that all the excitement and anticipation is over until next year.

    So today we hatched a plan. As Tom took the lights off the tree and assigned it to its new job as fertilizer, I settled the kids down for a project: planting Xmas tree seeds. This great little kit made it super-easy. Although I’m sure you could do it yourself for much cheaper, it was nice for this first-timer to have all the supplies I needed.

    Rehydrate the soil, plant seeds, and then into the refrigerator for 30 days. When we have seedlings and the right conditions outside, we’ll transplant them to an area on the farm.

    While Neko was still a little sad to see the tree go, I think she’s excited about keeping an eye on our seeds. And I love the idea that someday down the road we’ll pick our family tree from a grove planted by our own hands.

  • Mud puddles

    Mud puddles

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    It’s been grey and gross around here. Overcast skies, threatening rain, and rarely a peek of sunshine. Maybe that’s why we’re on the sixth day of 2007, and I have yet to write a post.

    By mid-afternoon today, everyone was cranky. Shep woke up from nap in a bad mood. Neko didn’t nap. Tom is getting a cold. I’m depressed about how much I clean and how much of a disaster this house still is.

    I managed to get the recycling out this morning, but the trash bin was full and the mudroom shower was becoming a second dumpster. “I’m taking out the trash,” I said. “Who’s coming?” Neko balked until Shep sprinted for his boots. Then suddenly Neko wanted to go, too. Even Tom found his coat.

    As we carried the bags, the kids started playing in the mud puddles. We considered if we should stop them, but, you know, they were in boots and we own a really nicer washer and dryer.

    Turns out fresh air and mud puddles are a good cure for cranky kids. And maybe their parents, too.

  • Thingamagoop

    Thingamagoop

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    Last year, after a hot tip from Chris, I got Tom a Thingamagoop for Xmas. It’s one step away from a high school science project. A homemade box with circuitry wired inside. Turning the knobs results in different frequencies of noise. The antenna is light-sensitive, so it changes the pitch as well. Basically, it sounds like a CB radio gone crazy. Tom loves it. The kids love it.

    So this year, each of the kids got their own. I got one, too, because I think Tom didn’t want me to feel left out. Tonight was one of those award winning moments for any music-loving Dad. The kids got out all three Thingamagoops and were seeing how they interact with each other. Shining their lightbulbs at each other. Turning on and off the lightswitch. Tom was beaming with glee.

    Now that is a Xmas gift.

  • Wee Wii

    Wee Wii

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    Photo by Chris

    Today was Chris’ birthday, but since Dan had to play for the Nutcracker until some ungodly late hour, we invited he and his Wii over for dinner.

    Shep loves the Wii remote more than anything in the whole world. If it weren’t $40, it would totally be in his stocking on Xmas morning.

  • Postcards from the edge

    Postcards from the edge

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    Dude, we so have our Xmas photo for this year.

  • The week before Xmas

    The week before Xmas

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    The week before Xmas when you’re a SAHM is deadly. All of the kids’ activities come to a grinding halt, so you have nothing with which to fill the schedule. Yet, you could put in a 40 hour work week just on wrapping, holiday cards, shopping, etc. So the irony is, although you have all this free time, none of the stuff you need to get done is compatible with small children. So I find myself wracking my brain for new activities, while silently panicking about everything on my “to do” list.

    Today we headed down south for a series of activities. First stop: Aquarium. Normally we don’t go there because Neko likes to treat it as her opportunity to do the 100 yard dash…how quickly can she make it from the entrance to the exit? But today she actually slowed down enough to pet a shark and glance at the jellyfish. I see this as a success.

    Next stop: Dewey’s. And the kids actually sat in their seats and ate. And I got to listen to the painful, I swear it could have been a sitcom, office Xmas party taking place next to me. Seriously. Beyond. Hilarious.

    Third stop: The walking bridge. Neko ran from one side to other with an intensity that could have fueled a small country, and Shep and I walked leisurely behind. Good to get in some fresh air.

    Fourth stop: Border’s. Mama needs some coffee for the long drive home.

  • Wally & Jackie’s

    Wally & Jackie’s

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    We look forward to Wally and Jackie’s Xmas party each year. It starts at 4pm, just after naps and runs until you change your kids into their jammies and drag them home, kicking and screaming. The kids keep themselves occupied with the ample toys, and parents stand a chance of actually talking to one another.

    As a special bonus, in the middle of the party, Wally dresses up like Santa and distributes gifts to each child. Neko happily sat on his lap this year, while Shep began his phone call to Children’s Services the minute he came within a three-foot radius of the Big Guy.

    We couldn’t pry the 12-inch Wiggles dolls out of Neko’s hands the entire evening—you can see her clutching them while she visits with Santa. Meanwhile, Shep just moved from one ball toy to the next and then the next. Heaven. Pure heaven.

  • Sunday morning bath

    Sunday morning bath

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    When your children wake up at 6:30am on a Sunday morning, you find yourself in desperate need of activities. After eating leftover blueberry compote, we decided that both kids probably needed a bath. What a fabulous way to kill time! Neko was in there for almost an hour.

    We also discovered that the bathroom at 8am has amazing natural light, and if we ever open a photo studio, it will have to be in the loo.

  • Get out

    Get out

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    On cold days, it’s so easy to stay inside. It’s warm inside and it’s so much effort to bundle up in coats and hats and mittens.

    But sometimes I forget that kids love the outdoors regardless. They don’t care that it’s cold or windy. They just want to run and play. When I opened the door the let the dogs in, and the kids went lunging toward the door even though they were in bare feet and no pants, I got the hint.

    Even Shep went flying for his locker and gathered up boots and his coat at the mere mention of going outside. And I’m glad we went. I needed the fresh air, too.

  • Independence

    Independence

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    Shep hasn’t been too impressed with the whole idea of a high chair lately, but he’s been putting up with it. Today he fell asleep without eating lunch, so when he woke I had lunch all set up on his high chair. As I carried him to the chair, his eyes traveled to the small tables and chairs I had set up for our house project, and he started wailing. Pointing and grunting, it became clear that lunch was to be served at that table.

    He ate that whole meal proudly at the table. Stopping every now and then to get up, walk around the table, and sit back down. He was beaming through lunch.

    He’s the baby right now, and he looks so small in comparison to Neko. But I need to remind myself he needs to take these steps toward being a big kid, too.