The Farm Report
  • Snack break

    Snack break

    112608_01

    Since Thanksgiving break started today, Neko didn't have school. Neither did Vince and Griffin, so we jumped at the chance to reunite the gang.

    Of course, I forgot the big camera, and dug out my point-and-shoot when my brood got so cranky they all needed a snack break. At the Conservatory, where food is strictly forbidden. So I parked them on the bench, smuggled out some granola bars, and realized I had one moment to snap a quick picture. While they're chewing, which, you know, is always a quality shot.

    I meant to get a picture of all ten (!) kids, but I forgot about even the point-and-shoot. Plus, I'm realizing that getting that shot might require cramming them all into a tiny room so there's no opportunity for escape. Or strapping them down. Or administering sedatives.

    Anyway, lots of running, jumping, and fun was had by all. I was especially delighted to see the little moments where Ellery and Gigi, the smallest of them all, seem to be forging their own little friendship.

    And, yes, Neko put that outfit together all by herself.


  • My English tyke

    Because he is very three-years-old, Shep has been spending a fair amount of time in the mudroom.

    Why? When he throws tantrums, I ask him to go to mudroom until he can get back in control and be a kind person again. Which is usually followed by about 30 minutes of wailing, a grumbling acknowledgment of guilt, and a return to society.

    Today he stood by the mudroom door, screaming at the top of his lungs, "I want to get out of here, straight away!"

    Perhaps we've been watching too much Charlie and Lola.


  • Photo shoot complete

    No major meltdowns. Lots of big smiles. Many old friends all in one room. And, oh, so many photos to edit.


  • Test shots

    Test shots

    112108_04

    112108_05

    112108_06

    112108_07

    112108_08

    112108_09

    In preparation for Sunday's photo shoots, we spent a little time setting up lights and taking a few test shots. For those of you coming on Sunday, your session will (probably) be a little less rambunctious.


  • Bad blogger, but, look! Skirts!

    Bad blogger, but, look! Skirts!

    112108_01

    112108_02

    112108_03

    I often forget that we are a business that gets stupid busy right around the holidays. And then there we are, and I'm all like, "Wow. It's been a week since I've blogged. How did that happen?"

    Anyway, things are good and busy. Which is well, good…and busy.

    But I took a little breather from all the chaos and forced myself to sew some skirts today. Neko had a complete meltdown this morning because we were going to force her to wear actual PANTS, and lordy, the tantrums followed shortly thereafter.

    I've struggled finding good skirts out there. You know, ones that don't say "princess" on the butt or are bedazzled into oblivion. A while back, Soulemama posted about an easy-peasy skirt, and I thought I'd give it a whirl. I was impressed with how it was actually really very easy. Free pattern courtesy of oliver + s, which you can find here.

    I made one just like the pattern, and then also the one above, where I pieced together two different fabrics. It upped the difficulty factor slightly, but I think added a bit of zing. The skirt was really for Neko, but Ellery happily wore it around for a while.

    On a side note, I'm so sad because this pink robot fabric is no longer available anywhere I look. I'm fairly certain I will never find pink robot fabric ever again, which is a complete bummer.

    The third photo is the laundry I totally ignored while sewing skirts. If my children are a little wrinkled the next time you see them, now you know why.


  • Willy Wonka

    Willy Wonka

    111608_04

    I know…lots of posting today. I can't help it. When there's good material and you don't spend the whole weekend in a waiting room, you run with it.

    Neko had seen part of Willy Wonka at school. She had been asking to see the rest of it, so I rented it from the library. While we didn't make it through the whole thing (too creepy), she was determined to draw some of it. She made me freeze on the factory and spent a long time drawing it.

    It's clearly still a work in progress (filling in that sky is a lot of work), but it's so fun to see her thinking through the creative process.


  • Buddy comes to visit

    Buddy comes to visit

    111608_02

    111608_03

    As part of Neko's kindergarten class, each child gets a turn to take Buddy the Bear home for the weekend. Buddy comes with a full bag of supplies, including extra clothes, toothbrush and toothpaste, bear books, bear coloring sheets, bear counting activities, and Buddy's journal. The kids get to spend the weekend with Buddy, and write about their adventures in his journal.

    They go in alphabetical order, and last weekend was Mary Beth. What letter comes after "M"? Needless to say, Neko has been extremely excited about her forthcoming weekend with Buddy.

    On Friday, she bounded into the car with Buddy and his big bag. Friday night she frantically ran around the house finding the perfect bed, blanket, pillow, and bedmate (Brown Bear). All of Saturday morning she spent in her bedroom, drawing and counting. Saturday afternoon she made her Panera box house, which was to be Buddy's new home. Buddy even went with her to Barb's house.

    I suspect tomorrow morning will involve a misty-eyed speech about how much she will miss Buddy. Until the letter "N" rolls around again, we bid you adieu, our furry friend.



  • Crafting with Tom

    Crafting with Tom

    111508_01

    111508_02

    While I was catching a few moments of afternoon nap, Tom helped Neko and Shep turn these Panera bagel boxes into little houses for their pets.

    I love that I married a crafty man. I suppose it makes up for the fact that he's totally useless when it comes to football.


  • Mostly back to normal

    Mostly back to normal

    111208_01

    111208_02

    He's still got his tic, but it seems to be less frequent. However, now he seems to be running around in circles with his shirt pulled up over his head.

    I'm not sure even the neurologist consult will be able to shed any light on that last part.