The Farm Report

  • Well, that was a lot of snow

    Well, that was a lot of snow

    010710_01

    010710_02

    010710_03

    010710_04

    010710_05

    010710_06

    As we consulted the radar, we discovered school had been canceled before the flakes even began to get substantial. Fearing the worst, Tom gave me some time to myself in the morning before I tackled the day with three snowbound children.

    When I emerged from hiding, I discovered my brilliant husband had brought bowls of the white stuff into the kitchen. For the next few hours we spent time digging, pouring, molding, microwaving (watch it melt!), cutting, and creating. Snownuts and coffee, anyone?

    Then we settled in for some real cocoa and a day full of documenting our Gnome-o-meter, our visual guide to the snowfall.

  • Batman returns

    Batman returns

    010510_01

    010510_02

    010510_03

    010510_04

    010510_05
    Neko discovered that Shep’s Batman costume fit her. So she spent much of the afternoon being Batgirl.

    For Shep and Ellery, business as usual.

  • There’s a hole in me pocket

    There’s a hole in me pocket

    010410_01

    010410_02

    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!”

  • Bathtime

    Bathtime

    122809_01

  • Favorite gifts

    Favorite gifts

    122509_01

    122509_02

    122509_03

    122509_04

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

  • Christmas Eve: Cookie making

    Christmas Eve: Cookie making

    122409_12

    122409_13

    122409_14

    122409_15

    I kind of forgot that Neko had her heart set on baking cookies for Santa.

    I hope Santa appreciated these cookies with whole wheat flour and year-old decorations, because, um, some parents didn’t have time to go to the store and get three bonkers-excited kids in bed at a reasonable hour.

  • Christmas Eve: Museum

    Christmas Eve: Museum

    122409_01

    122409_02

    122409_03

    122409_04

    122409_05

    122409_06

    122409_07

    122409_08

    122409_09

    122409_10

    122409_11

    It’s becoming our new Christmas Eve tradition that we head to the museum. As soon as everyone is up and coffee is made, we load into the car and hit the road.

    This year we had a few errands to run on the way—a box of shirts to drop off, papers to file, and a few last orders to the post office.

    Then off to the holiday train display, and then some serious negotiations about what to do next. Chris came along this year, and was extremely patient as we made our way through. We got a bonus tour of Ye Old Fashioned Type Shoppe, a place where we will definitely return. A quick spin through the Egypt exhibit. And the star on the tree of our day—our favorite museum naturalist handed over her corn snake for Neko to have some serious one-on-one time.

  • Old tractor

    Old tractor

    122309_01

    I spent a little time trudging around the snowy farm this morning. I wandered into the woods, and finally had a chance to document one of the oldest tractors in the tractor graveyard.

    This one comes complete with wooden seat and metal wheels. Quite gorgeous.

  • Snow!

    Snow!

    121909_01

    121909_02

    121909_03

    And here it is, our first big snow.

    Neko was beside herself with excitement. Still in her pajamas, she pulled on her boots and coat and headed outside. There she was, running and playing and doing snow angels. A bit later, she wandered in, looking for a big bowl. She had a snowman she wanted to bring inside.

    When I looked out again, I realized her snowman was waaaay down at the end of the property, on the hay cart (look for the small orange triangle above her head in the first photo). And there she was, a snowman half her height, loaded into the bowl. She would stop every 20 feet or so to put the bowl down and rest. I’ve never seen her so determined. Some time later, she popped up on the patio with a smile and a snowman.

    Why we bring a snowman inside to decorate, I have no idea, but I like the enthusiasm with which we’re embracing winter.

  • Holiday concert

    Holiday concert

    121809_01

    Neko sings at home. Non-stop.

    Like last year, she’s adoring music at school. Her teacher has sent home a CD of the songs they’re singing and the accompanying word sheets. The day they came home with her, she sat us all down and made us hold an impromptu sing-a-long.

    You would think it would naturally follow that she’s a happy concert participant. But there, in front of a big audience, you can’t get her on the stage.

    So today, when they went to perform for a group of seniors, I was shocked to see her walk up on stage. Granted, she wiggled, chewed on her sleeve, and pulled funny faces, and I totally had to crop her out of the photo I sent to the newspaper. But hooray! She’s on stage!

    I will take my victories where I can get them.