The Farm Report – Page 46 – Archiving the early years

Shep graduates

May 28, 2010

Graduation night brings a row of nervous five-year-olds in miniature graduation caps. They sang us some songs and received diplomas.

Shep has been beside himself with excitement for weeks about this night, making sure all the important people would be in attendance. We made sure to get pictures with Cindi and Julie, and his treasured “girlfriend” Eleanor (whom Ellery treasures just as much).

He was so excited when we got home, he slept in his cap and shirt. Okay, I know it’s only a preschool graduation, but I have to admire the kid’s enthusiasm.

Next stop: kindergarten.
Last day of school: Shep

May 28, 2010

We made it to the last day of preschool for Shep! Swimming and a picnic cap off the year. Shep was running around so quickly, I barely had a chance to catch him in the frame.

After years of walking in Neko’s shadow, it’s been exciting to see him step out on his own.
Chickens

May 25, 2010

The chickens moved outside this weekend. Although I was excited to reclaim our kitchen, I was a little sad to not hear their peeps as the evening wound down. And despite my assurances to Neko that they’d be okay, I was a little nervous myself.

So I started going outside in the evening to check on them. I’d sit down, and Fluffy would climb into my lap and snooze. The others would wander around my toes. I’d sip a glass of wine, and feel my whole body relax, muscle by muscle.

I can’t say enough good things about this whole chicken business. And neither can my blood pressure.
Recovery

May 23, 2010

Yesterday was all kinds of bad. Tom left early Friday morning for San Francisco. I stayed up too late the night before. And the kids? They’ve been simmering for a few weeks.

At some point I’ll write down the details of the day when I have time to do it justice. It started miserably, but ended well. And left us all spent.

Today we took it slow. After swimming lessons, I parked myself under a tree. For hours. It started by keeping an eye Daisy to make sure she didn’t eat the chickens, which meant I had to stay put. I brought out my phone and listened to my book club book, which I downloaded a week or so back.

And I sat. And sat. An hour in, my mom walked up the hill and sat with me, which you would think we do all the time, with them just down the hill and all. But life gets busy and then you don’t. But today we did!

Neko and Shep created a massive mud puddle with the hose, stripped off all their clothes, and got as muddy as they’ve ever been. And we just sat and laughed.

We only took a little break to go in and take a few photos of Ellery, who passed out in her beanbag chair reading a book during quiet time.

Funny what happens when you force yourself to stop moving. I hope for more of that this summer.
Goodbye, Erin!

May 22, 2010

Yet another beloved Kindergarten teacher is leaving us. Like Heather, she’s sad to go, but life is calling her up north, so I suppose we’ll let her go.

Big thanks to Nancy A. for organizing a going away party so the girls could wish her well. Erin, you will be missed!

(Yes, Neko is wearing a cat collar. I’ll let you dream up your own explanation.)
Sleepover

May 18, 2010

I often think one of the best gifts I can give my kids is one another. Neko and Shep have been the best of friends as of late. So when they asked for a sleepover, even on a school night, I just couldn't say no.
Reptile friends

May 13, 2010

Did you know my father grew up on a farm? When he got older he went running as fast as he could for a big city. In their time, my parents lived in St. Louis, Pasadena, and Philadelphia. But then they began the steady decline back into rurality (totally not a word, but I’m claiming it). And now? He’s back to living on a farm. Very full circle.

You’d never know he lived on a farm until he runs into a snake. And then suddenly a ten-year-old boy appears in our midst. In the time we’ve been here, he’s managed to find a slew of snakes, and Neko is right behind him cheering him on.
More chickens

May 11, 2010

They’re beginning to perch! Which is really quite entertaining, especially when they’re all in a row.

On a side note, did you know chickens love hot air balloon rides? Apparently this is something only seven-year-olds know.
Happy Mother’s Day

May 9, 2010

I know, you all are probably tired of all these nature updates, but, people, this is my life. This place is a just steps away from becoming some sort of petting zoo.

In the midst of the chickens and the snail, you probably thought we completely forgot about the tadpoles. I assure you, they’ve been trucking along, and have now emerged as teeny, tiny toads. I really should have placed something in this photo for scale, because you could probably fit four of them on a dime. Omigosh, they are cute.

Anyway, one of the most mature kicked the bucket, and I remembered I had read that once they complete their phase as toadlets, they need to eat live food. Which I don’t have. And don’t wish to have. So tonight they headed back to the pond.

Amazing to think that on Easter they were newly laid eggs, and precisely five weeks later, they are fully formed toads. Mother Nature, on this day that we celebrate all our mamas, I’m going to need to find you a really good card, because you are delivering in spades.
A gaggle of girls

May 7, 2010

I’m not sure if I’m referring to the chickens or the seven-year-olds. But having five chickens came in quite handy when I got brave enough to have five girls over for a super-sized playdate. Thank goodness Nancy H. was there. She gets full credit for this photo, as I was trapped under a cranky three-year-old.

And thanks to Susie for hosting Shep, so the we could book a bit of quality girl time.