The Farm Report – Page 95 – Archiving the early years

Best idea since sliced bread

July 5, 2008

The produce drawer in our refrigerator is a constant source of frustration. Things get lost under bags and then suddenly there are zillions of dollars in produce rotting away. And ever since I’ve been making an effort to buy at the Farmer’s Market, this is proving even more costly.

Yesterday I had a flash of genius when I remembered these drawer organizers I purchased for our closet. Today I had a chance to install them, at which time the clouds parted and the sun shone down with a brilliance the likes of which had not yet been seen by humankind. Peace and order was restored to the produce, and we declared it good.

Jeff and Greg, if you pass on this idea to the folks in Research and Development, make sure I get a cut, okay? Or at least a free refrigerator.
Independence day

July 4, 2008

Although we had some good invitations to celebrate the 4th with friends, we figured it might be best to stick closer to home. Neither Ellery or Alex was going to make it through the night without some creative sleeping arrangements, which could only be accomplished with cribs at our disposal.

Thank goodness one of the best views of the fireworks is in my parents’ front yard. It took a bit of juggling, Doug playing the role of the Child Whisperer, and repeated showings of Word World, but we all made it out to see the fireworks, even though nearly everyone was in pajamas.

But now that I think about it, I think there was something about that in those inalienable rights—life, liberty, and the pursuit of fireworks in your pajamas.
Time apart

July 3, 2008

Tonight Neko went to spend the night with Renita and Diane. A few weeks ago she began pestering us that she wanted to go spend the night and she wanted to go all by herself. No Shep.

After some calendar shuffling, we decided today was a good one. She’s been counting the days since Sunday, when she decided she could check the days off one by one. I regret that I did not take a photo when she had the marker taped to the wall next to the calendar, you know, just so it could be there when it was time to cross off a day.

After we dropped Neko off, we took Shep to dinner. I was stunned at how he was a non-stop stream of chatter over dinner. In our daily life, I don’t think I notice how much Neko dominates the conversation. But with his moment in the spotlight, Shep stepped up to plate, and continued to talk on through bedtime.
Delayed gratification

July 2, 2008

I think I’ve written about Shep’s nightly ritual where one of the last things he does at night is give me two kisses, one on each cheek.

Well, it’s come to a grinding halt. All of a sudden one night when I requested my kisses he shook his head and said, “Nope. Tomorrow.”

And the next morning he delivered on his promise, but I suspect he’s trying to wean me slowly into his pre-adolescent years.
Field Trip: 7/1

July 1, 2008

I’m discovering lately that sometimes, if you just ask, people are more than willing to share what they do with you. This has come up a lot when I scheduled field trips for this summer. When I called the small local airport to see if we could come out and see a real airport, they sounded a little surprised. They asked what we wanted to see, and were more than accommodating.

After I got off the phone it dawned on me that the reason he seemed a little surprised is probably that no one ever really takes a field trip out there. It’s a small facility and it doesn’t get a lot of traffic. But for us? A perfect outing.

We began with a tour of the hanger where they keep a few privately owned planes. Then we got to take a full tour of their personal plane, first on the outside and then each child got to go inside. And after our tour was over, we got to watch a plane taxi and take off. An added bonus? A helicopter that was practicing on one of the landing strips, taking off and landing over and over.

Sometimes I grumble about this small town we live in, but the familiarity it breeds often opens up doors we might not dare to knock on in the Big City.
Daily allotment of cute

June 30, 2008
The very tiny caterpillar

June 29, 2008

The season of Entomology has begun.
Gigi turns one

June 28, 2008

Seriously, how scrumptious is this kid? Even more delicious in person, if you can believe it.

Marlo and Jeff hosted a small get-together to celebrate Gigi’s first birthday. So nice to gather with their family to celebrate. Hooray for Gigi’s first year and the return of our good friends.
I caught a fish THIS BIG.

June 27, 2008

Tom had invited Ben to bring Irene and Ezra down to give Kate a little time with the new baby. And our former neighbor Jim had been itching to bring his grandsons down to go fishing. And my friend Beth L. was taking care of her niece and nephew as well as her own two kids and was looking for a diversion. So we threw everyone in a pot and decided to go fishing.

Off to the pond we headed with eleven kids in tow. Foolish? Crazy? Perhaps, but also determined to make a go of it. And in the end? They were a bit impatient and squirrelly, but they did great. Lots of kids even caught fish, including Neko’s big catch.

After fishing we were home for lunch, followed by a romp in the pool and watermelon. You might have thought we walked into a Norman Rockwell painting.
MagnaTiles

June 26, 2008

Still going strong. Quite possibly one of the greatest toys ever.

It should be noted that even though this is an amazing picture of Neko (taken by Tom), the structure was actually built by Shep. He’s not drawing yet, but his MagnaTile creations are pretty spectacular!