Last week I was carrying Brian out of his room after nap and just as we got to the doorway he said, "What's that?"
I asked "What's what?"
He said something, but I wasn't sure I was hearing it right so I repeated it back to him, "Poopy noise?"
"Yep, poopy noi."
I thought for a minute and realized I was stepping on a creaky part of the wood floor, so I made the noise again and Brian confirmed that as the "poopy noise."
Such a boy!
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Sunday, November 2, 2008
Cousin Pictures
After Aunt Sarah and Joshua left, I came into the house to find another "baby" in the bouncy seat. He insisted that he couldn't help clean up, because "I baby!" I told him that babies couldn't have hot chocolate either. He got up very quickly.
Brian LOVES to hold his new cousin! He sits very calmly with him and just wraps his arms right around him. He even helped Aunt Sarah change his diaper! I'll have an eager little helper when Lydia arrives.
It was getting late in this pic. Joshua was fussy and Brian wouldn't take his fingers out of his mouth. Willim did fine for us, but he's my night owl!The funny things they say!
Tonight we read about the Israelites moving camp after being at Mt. Sinai for one year. We talked about how they traveled for three days before they stopped. I mentioned to William that it would take a day for use to walk to Carlisle if we had to take a lot of stuff with us. He asked me why the Israelites didn't have any roads. "Because they didn't have cars to drive on the roads."
William asked, "When are we going to read the Bible story about when they made cars?"
Brian and William have fun yelling, "boo!" and tell me they are scaring monsters away. This has been a fun game for them for weeks, but I think Brian's imagination is getting the better of him. He won't go into a darkened room until he scares the monsters out and asks for the light on. Tonight he came to get me and told me there was a monster in his room. I said, "There's a monster in your room?!" thinking he was playing. He about jumped on my lap and held me tight, terrified that there really was a monster there!!! I keep telling him, "There are no monsters anywhere! God didn't make any! Mommy, Daddy, and God will keep you safe." I'll have to tell William not to play monsters anymore.
William asked, "When are we going to read the Bible story about when they made cars?"
Brian and William have fun yelling, "boo!" and tell me they are scaring monsters away. This has been a fun game for them for weeks, but I think Brian's imagination is getting the better of him. He won't go into a darkened room until he scares the monsters out and asks for the light on. Tonight he came to get me and told me there was a monster in his room. I said, "There's a monster in your room?!" thinking he was playing. He about jumped on my lap and held me tight, terrified that there really was a monster there!!! I keep telling him, "There are no monsters anywhere! God didn't make any! Mommy, Daddy, and God will keep you safe." I'll have to tell William not to play monsters anymore.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Chicken Free
Well, we decided that although having chickens was a great way to never run out of eggs, it was a lot of work, feed is expensive, and we can get better (organic), cheaper eggs at a farm down the road. Not to mention that I don't want to be checking to make sure their water doesn't freeze this winter with a new baby on the way. So, the chickens had to go.
Two weeks ago we butchered the two ducks and two roosters that hatched in June. Not something I'd like to do again, but I'm glad I know how in case I ever need to. A friend came over to help us, becuase once Curt and I started, we realized that we really didn't have a clue what we were doing (internet directions make it look so simple!). It all made me really appreciate where my food comes from. William didn't want us to do it and cried at first, but he got used to the idea and asked if we could make gravy when we cooked the chickens. We've eaten one duck. Brian LOVES duck, but William didn't want to try it even though he was excited about it while it was still in the oven.
The rest of the chickens are now living at the Becker's house and their kids are having fun collecting eggs and feeding chickens. I told William that we could think about keeping other animals when he got bigger and could take care of them himself. He's been talking about dogs and rabbits recently!
Two weeks ago we butchered the two ducks and two roosters that hatched in June. Not something I'd like to do again, but I'm glad I know how in case I ever need to. A friend came over to help us, becuase once Curt and I started, we realized that we really didn't have a clue what we were doing (internet directions make it look so simple!). It all made me really appreciate where my food comes from. William didn't want us to do it and cried at first, but he got used to the idea and asked if we could make gravy when we cooked the chickens. We've eaten one duck. Brian LOVES duck, but William didn't want to try it even though he was excited about it while it was still in the oven.
The rest of the chickens are now living at the Becker's house and their kids are having fun collecting eggs and feeding chickens. I told William that we could think about keeping other animals when he got bigger and could take care of them himself. He's been talking about dogs and rabbits recently!
Thursday, September 25, 2008
What William Prays For
We've been reading a story Bible and praying with the boys before bed. At first William never had anything to talk to God about, but now he has a huge list.
He wants to pray that he can be a policeman when he grows up.
He thanks God for snacks, church, a good story Bible, our new balloons, our house......
Tonight he wanted to thank God for "nice parents." What a sweety.
He wants to pray that he can be a policeman when he grows up.
He thanks God for snacks, church, a good story Bible, our new balloons, our house......
Tonight he wanted to thank God for "nice parents." What a sweety.
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Thanks for the Hats!
Grandma and Grandpa Rittgers went to the Iowa State Fair and sent caps for the boys. These are their "smiling for the camera" faces.
Sometime soon I've got to get a video of Brian praying before bed. I showed him to fold his hands together and close his eyes and he makes a hysterical face in effort to keep those eyes closed. I'm not sure how to get the video without him knowing though.
William and I have started doing school regularly now. I have him read to me in the morning (we are almost done with the first McGuffey Reader), then we do a math lesson (or part of one), practice handwriting, and do at least one page in Explode the Code. Soon we will add literature. We will do First Favorites from Veritas Press. There are a lot of neat activities that go along with all the classic children's books. I think he'll love it. He still begs to do school if we miss for some reason. I'm trying to keep it simple and short at this point. We are always done within an hour and he will often ask to do an extra Explode the Code page. Now I need to come up with some more ways to keep Brian busy during that time. He just wants to be on top of us all the time.
Brian is growing up a lot too. He's speaking more clearly now and comes up with some fun ideas. He also spends a lot of time trying to get William to wrestle with him. William is usually willing as long as he's not reading a book. Brian begs to go to work with Daddy every morning and is near tears every time he gets left behind. He's the first to notice when Curt pulls into the driveway in the evening and always runs to greet him. Brian has also recently learned to jump and to pedal his tricycle, though it's still much faster for him to walk it with his feet. The boys have fun seeing how fast they can go and do all the silly things that boys do on bikes!
They are usually covered in sand and dirt by the end of each day, which means a bath every night. Some days I think, "Oh, I can just wash their extremities today!" Only to have Curt come home and dig a hole for something and of course the boys are "helping" and come in with dirt in their hair, etc....
This weekend when we had the tropical storm we had a big mud pit where Curt had buried the propane line to the grill. They begged to go out with umbrellas and so Curt had them stomp in the mud to help all the dirt settle. It wasn't long before they figured out that getting rained on was much more fun than an umbrella. Curt had to hose them down before they came in! They had so much fun! I'll post a pic. once I get it on my computer.
Baby Lydia is doing her fair share of moving and shaking. I'm 24 weeks pregnant now. Last week I had a lot of hip pain so I went to a Chiroprater yesterday and he put my sacroiliac joints back where they are supposed to be and I feel much better now. I'll get Curt to take my picture the next time I'm dressed nicely so I can show off my belly.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Habla Espanol?
Brian was trying to say something durning dinner yesterday. William said, "Mommy, what language does Brian talk in? Is it Spanish?"
Monday, June 9, 2008
Look what we've been doing!
I'll get back to the bread baking soon, but just had to share this video of what we got on freecycle.
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Shopping list for baking bread.
How do I find the time to bake all my own bread?
I make the time. It's important to our family, so I make sure it happens. It's kind of like cooking dinner. You find the time to do it. Over time you get faster, and you learn some shortcuts along the way. Here are my tricks to making it work for us:
I bake bread in large batches and either freeze the bread or the dough.
I let the boys help.
I let the machines do the hard work.
It really doesn't take much time. Here's a breakdown.
15 min grinding grain
10 min mixing ingredients and kneading dough
take a long break and come back later to turn machine on for a few seconds and turn off again.
take another long break
5 min. to shape the dough to bake.
take a 15 min break
1 min put bread in oven
take a half hour break
2 min to take bread out and cool it.
That's a total of about 32 min of work for three or four loaves of fantastic bread. We think it's worth it!
So, if you want to bake your own bread, you will need to have some items on hand. I'm going to write this in two sections. Section #1 is for those who want to bake the softest, most nutritious, 100% whole wheat bread. Section #2 is for those who just want an occassional warm loaf of bread and don't care about 100% whole wheat.
#1
Eqipment:
1. A grain mill. Electric is preferable unless you want to spend an hour cranking. I have a K-Tech Kitchen Mill. It does a good job, but sounds like an airplane. Quieter and just as good is the Wonder Mill. This is an upfront expense of about $200, but if you make most or all of your bread, the savings will pay for itself in a year or two. If you have access to freshly ground flour you do not need this.
2. A mixer with a dough hook and a large capacity bowl. I have a Bosch and it is fantastic. Kitchen Aid also works well.
3. Bread pans. Pyrex or stonewear are best. The metal pans heat too unevenly.
4. An oven!
Ingredients:
1. Wheat berries (yes, that's what the grain is called). I buy mine if 50lb bags at a bulk foods store about 20 miles from here. I buy several bags at a time and store all the grain in tightly sealed 5 gallon buckets. The price for 50 lbs is currently around $30. Double what I paid six years ago.
2. water-from the tap
3. apple cider vinegar - I use raw, but it's not necessary. I buy it at the grocery store.
4. honey - grocery store
5. baking soda - grocery store
6. yeast - If you plan on making a lot of bread, don't waste your money on store yeast. I can get 1 lb packages at any bulk food store for a fraction of the price of the little jars you can get at the grocery store. Look around and see what you can find. Store yeast in the freezer to maintain freshness.
7. salt
8. olive oil
9. butter or lard - this is for greasing your pans. Please don't use vegetable shortening. Not only does it taste terrible, but it clogs the arteries!
#2
Equipment:
1. A bread machine or a good mixer with a dough hook.
2. An oven
3. Bread pans - pyrex or stonewear.
Ingrediens:
1. Whole wheat flour
2. White flour
3. honey
4. salt
5. yeast
6. olive oil
7. butter or lard
I make the time. It's important to our family, so I make sure it happens. It's kind of like cooking dinner. You find the time to do it. Over time you get faster, and you learn some shortcuts along the way. Here are my tricks to making it work for us:
I bake bread in large batches and either freeze the bread or the dough.
I let the boys help.
I let the machines do the hard work.
It really doesn't take much time. Here's a breakdown.
15 min grinding grain
10 min mixing ingredients and kneading dough
take a long break and come back later to turn machine on for a few seconds and turn off again.
take another long break
5 min. to shape the dough to bake.
take a 15 min break
1 min put bread in oven
take a half hour break
2 min to take bread out and cool it.
That's a total of about 32 min of work for three or four loaves of fantastic bread. We think it's worth it!
So, if you want to bake your own bread, you will need to have some items on hand. I'm going to write this in two sections. Section #1 is for those who want to bake the softest, most nutritious, 100% whole wheat bread. Section #2 is for those who just want an occassional warm loaf of bread and don't care about 100% whole wheat.
#1
Eqipment:
1. A grain mill. Electric is preferable unless you want to spend an hour cranking. I have a K-Tech Kitchen Mill. It does a good job, but sounds like an airplane. Quieter and just as good is the Wonder Mill. This is an upfront expense of about $200, but if you make most or all of your bread, the savings will pay for itself in a year or two. If you have access to freshly ground flour you do not need this.
2. A mixer with a dough hook and a large capacity bowl. I have a Bosch and it is fantastic. Kitchen Aid also works well.
3. Bread pans. Pyrex or stonewear are best. The metal pans heat too unevenly.
4. An oven!
Ingredients:
1. Wheat berries (yes, that's what the grain is called). I buy mine if 50lb bags at a bulk foods store about 20 miles from here. I buy several bags at a time and store all the grain in tightly sealed 5 gallon buckets. The price for 50 lbs is currently around $30. Double what I paid six years ago.
2. water-from the tap
3. apple cider vinegar - I use raw, but it's not necessary. I buy it at the grocery store.
4. honey - grocery store
5. baking soda - grocery store
6. yeast - If you plan on making a lot of bread, don't waste your money on store yeast. I can get 1 lb packages at any bulk food store for a fraction of the price of the little jars you can get at the grocery store. Look around and see what you can find. Store yeast in the freezer to maintain freshness.
7. salt
8. olive oil
9. butter or lard - this is for greasing your pans. Please don't use vegetable shortening. Not only does it taste terrible, but it clogs the arteries!
#2
Equipment:
1. A bread machine or a good mixer with a dough hook.
2. An oven
3. Bread pans - pyrex or stonewear.
Ingrediens:
1. Whole wheat flour
2. White flour
3. honey
4. salt
5. yeast
6. olive oil
7. butter or lard
Sunday, June 1, 2008
My Bread Story (as requested by Angie)
For those of you who don't know, I LOVE homemade whole wheat bread and rarely (as in 2-3 times per year) buy any storebought bread. I even buy wheat in 50lb bags and grind my own flour.
"Why bother?" I used to like store bread just fine, until I lived in Prague for two years. There, the only good bread available was baked fresh daily and delivered to the local stores. One could cut it, bag it, and buy half or quarter of a loaf for pennies. It was a dense, hearty, flavorful, rye bread. At first I didn't care for it much, but it quickly grew on me. It was wonderful toasted with cream cheese and jam for breakfast. It made great ham and cheese sandwiches. It was such a shock to come back to the US and find NOTHING that could compare with that bread. So, when Curt and I married and I had my own kitchen, I started baking and searching for the perfect bread recipe. We bought a bread machine, but I could not get a good 100% whole wheat loaf to be moist enough. It always ended up crumbly and dry and only good for french toast and stuffing. What I didn't know was that the whole wheat flour we buy at the store has already gone rancid!!!! When I first tasted bread (thanks to Kathy O'Donnell) made from freshly ground grain, I knew I had found my solution. Thanks to a husband who loves tools, we soon bought a grain mill and I was in business! I found a good, reliable recipe and started baking bread.
Over the past 6 years I have learned more about nutrition and baking and have further improved the recipe to make a bread that has better keeping quality, tastes better, and is easier to digest. Since I've had numerous friends learn to bake bread and many of them call with questions from time to time, I've decided to write down the complete process (pictures included) for their (and your) reference.
"Why bother?" I used to like store bread just fine, until I lived in Prague for two years. There, the only good bread available was baked fresh daily and delivered to the local stores. One could cut it, bag it, and buy half or quarter of a loaf for pennies. It was a dense, hearty, flavorful, rye bread. At first I didn't care for it much, but it quickly grew on me. It was wonderful toasted with cream cheese and jam for breakfast. It made great ham and cheese sandwiches. It was such a shock to come back to the US and find NOTHING that could compare with that bread. So, when Curt and I married and I had my own kitchen, I started baking and searching for the perfect bread recipe. We bought a bread machine, but I could not get a good 100% whole wheat loaf to be moist enough. It always ended up crumbly and dry and only good for french toast and stuffing. What I didn't know was that the whole wheat flour we buy at the store has already gone rancid!!!! When I first tasted bread (thanks to Kathy O'Donnell) made from freshly ground grain, I knew I had found my solution. Thanks to a husband who loves tools, we soon bought a grain mill and I was in business! I found a good, reliable recipe and started baking bread.
Over the past 6 years I have learned more about nutrition and baking and have further improved the recipe to make a bread that has better keeping quality, tastes better, and is easier to digest. Since I've had numerous friends learn to bake bread and many of them call with questions from time to time, I've decided to write down the complete process (pictures included) for their (and your) reference.
Friday, May 30, 2008
How To Get Fertilized Eggs
So a chick costs a dollar or two, a 16-18 week old pullet (already starting to lay) costs $5, and a dozen fertilized chicken eggs costs about $30 !!!!!!!!????? Much of the cost is in the shipping, but good grief!!
Why am I looking for eggs to hatch? Because I have a hen who WILL NOT get off the nest. I've been taking her eggs, moving her off the nest, and I even put ice in the nest, but nothing will get her to budge. I figure I might as well put her to work. Since I couldn't find any fertilized eggs locally, I asked some farmer friends if I could buy a rooster from them. So they sent a few boys out in the field to chase one down. Picture two tall Menonite boys in their black pants and suspenders, cheerfully running down a rooster for me. Mr. and Mrs. and two or three girls were all standing with me watching for a while before Mr. Farmer decided to go down and get a dog to help because roosters are really fast. So, on Tues. we brought a rooster home. William said, "I wanted a rooster so much, and now I have one!" He's not too loud in the morning as long as the windows are closed. He's not any worse than the crazy birds that sing right outside our window starting at 5am. The boys love to hear him crow.
So, now our hen is sitting on eight eggs and I'm hoping a good number are fertilized. The golden colored hen in the pic is the one brooding. I feel like brooding too. I could make a nice nest in my room and only come out to eat and drink for the next few months at least. Yep, that sounds nice.
Friday, May 23, 2008
Did you ever get sent to the corner as a kid? Well, that's where we send William when he gets crying for no good reason (mini temper tantrum?). The idea is that it's no fun to cry in the corner while the rest of the world keeps going. It works and he calms rather quickly (he's not allowed out until he can show me a pleasant look on his face). Well, Brian has been fascinated by this and would like to stand in the corner with William. Of course I can't let him and he was rather upset this afternoon that I made him move, so when William came out of the corner, I sent Brian there - not as a punishment or anything, but because I knew he would LIKE it. He was happy to comply and went and PRETENDED TO CRY in the corner!!!! I just about fell over laughing. Such a little actor! I'm sure he won't be so happy the first time he gets sent to the corner for real.
William is really into building with his legos. He builds incredible little things! They make all kinds of moving parts on legos now, so he can build a working excavator. The pieces are teeny tiny and get lost pretty easily, but he just substitutes other pieces and keeps building. His instructions have been missing too, but that hasn't slowed him down a bit. He can still build all the same little machines in almost the same way.
The boys had a nice treat this Thursday morning. I had to go into town to get some chicken feed. Just as I got to Carlisle, my dad called and said he was just driving through in his truck. We met at a truck stop and the boys got to see Grandpa for a few minutes. They also got to go in his truck and see the load in the back. Brian cried when Grandpa drove away without him. I think he really wanted to ride in the truck. William was being a little reserved - and also busy enjoying his new sunglasses.
William's question yesterday, "Is our baby coming soon?" - I wish.
William's question today, "Is your tummy bigger now?" - My pants are getting tighter!
William is really into building with his legos. He builds incredible little things! They make all kinds of moving parts on legos now, so he can build a working excavator. The pieces are teeny tiny and get lost pretty easily, but he just substitutes other pieces and keeps building. His instructions have been missing too, but that hasn't slowed him down a bit. He can still build all the same little machines in almost the same way.
The boys had a nice treat this Thursday morning. I had to go into town to get some chicken feed. Just as I got to Carlisle, my dad called and said he was just driving through in his truck. We met at a truck stop and the boys got to see Grandpa for a few minutes. They also got to go in his truck and see the load in the back. Brian cried when Grandpa drove away without him. I think he really wanted to ride in the truck. William was being a little reserved - and also busy enjoying his new sunglasses.
William's question yesterday, "Is our baby coming soon?" - I wish.
William's question today, "Is your tummy bigger now?" - My pants are getting tighter!
Friday, May 16, 2008
Winking and Kissing
Tonight at dinner Brian was trying to wink at me. I wish I could have captured that moment on film. His face was so contorted and his eyes were rolling back. Try as he might, he couldn't manage to close only one eye.
The best cure for any small injury with Brian is a kiss. Today he was playing with William and I heard a wimper but by the time I got to him he was smiling and pushing his hand into William's face, asking for a kiss! William didn't know what was going on, but was happy to oblige Brian and all was well. This evening I caught Brian kissing his own hand after he bumped it! I guess there's nothing magic about Mommy's kisses.
Maybe Curt will shave this weekend and then I'll want to kiss him again.
The best cure for any small injury with Brian is a kiss. Today he was playing with William and I heard a wimper but by the time I got to him he was smiling and pushing his hand into William's face, asking for a kiss! William didn't know what was going on, but was happy to oblige Brian and all was well. This evening I caught Brian kissing his own hand after he bumped it! I guess there's nothing magic about Mommy's kisses.
Maybe Curt will shave this weekend and then I'll want to kiss him again.
Sunday, May 11, 2008
More photos
This is just last sunday. Check out my lilacs!
Brian likes to do "school" too!
Brian also comes up with some unique outfits. (aka Sarah)
Boys in a basket.
Lots of mud.
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Photos for Grandparents!
This photo is fairly recent. I think they were watching Daddy outside.
This was this winter - probably Feb. Love his smile.
This is Brian goofing off with Daddy's hat and pencil (over ear).
I took this photo tonight. They wanted to sleep together. See how innocent they look? Of course they started to wrestle right after I took the picture. I did put Brian back in his bed, but it won't be long before I'll be needing that crib for someone else. I guess that means that William's moving to the top bunk.
We think New Baby will come mid December. Of course I saw the cuttest Pack n' Play for dolls in Walmart tonight and immediately wanted a girl VERY BADLY. Curt said, "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" I think almost everyone wants a girl, but of course William says, "We need more boys."
We went out with the Beckers tonight. I had baked a cheesecake for Tsiph's birthday, so we took it to the Chinese Buffet and had a little party for her there. Somehow Brian and Luke ended up at the ends of the table. Probably because those were easy spots to put highchairs. They waved to each other and said hi across the table. Very cute. I can see those two becoming good buddies and possibly partners in crime. They both have that mischevious twinkle in the eye and a bit of temper to go with it, but they are such affable, endearing kids too.
Chickens and ducks are doing well. I'm getting 6 eggs/day now, but I've had to pen the hens up so they can't ruin all the gardens in the neighborhood. The ducks are free since they don't dig and they really don't go far at all. The prefer to be close to the house. They have loved the rain this week and got really muddy playing in a puddle out back. I think they are both she ducks, so we should start getting eggs from them before too long. It will be fun to try them.
Wednesday, April 2, 2008
Adventures, Cont....
I've got my chickens! They don't look at all like the pictures posted previously, because I want lots of eggs and Polish chickens don't produce well. Two weeks ago I got six little red hens. Five days later a fox got four of them. We reinforced the coop, moved it closer to the house and I went to a farmer to get four more birds. Now we have three red hens and two Barred Rock hens (black and white stripes). I'll post pictures once I get my camera batteries charged. I'm currently getting four eggs/day, but expect that will increase as the hens get settled in their new home.
We also got two ducklings. I'm hoping they are female and will lay eggs for us, but if not, they will make good eating in the fall (if we can manage to not get too attached to butcher them). The boys love to watch the ducks. They have doubled in size in one week! (ducks, not boys)
William asked me if we can have hay and a red barn on our farm. I guess he figures that we have a tractor with a few attachments, chickens, ducks, a cat, and we've started seedlings, then we must have a farm! He also keeps asking for horses and cows. Too bad two acres is not enough space for a milk cow. Then again, I think I already have enough animals to feed and water.
Curt taught me how to drive the tractor yesterday. Brian thought it was great that mommy was on the tractor. He kept smiling and waving at me. We were moving all the woodchips from their various piles to one location near the garden so it will be handy for mulch. The boys were both helping rake. They were climbing on the log pile and sitting in the play house together. So cute. They would both live outside if they could. It should be a fun summer.
Next project: a greenhouse (unheated variety) so we can enjoy winter veggies. I put the chicken coop over the grass where we will put it, so they can kill the grass and fertilize! I also want to make a narrow pen for the hens that I can put between my garden rows, so they can weed there as well. Why should I do the weeding when the chickens like to do it so much?
We would love to let our chickens run free, but we have too many dogs that wander around. I'm afraid they would go after my hens! There are also hawks that fly over the field out back. Still trying to decide. I'd just hate to lose more birds.
Updates on boys:
William is reading extremely well now. He loves to do school and he likes math just as much as reading. We are beginning to add and he gets the concept, but we don't have things memorized yet, so don't quiz him. He's also beginning to really want to do what is right. It makes it much easier to help him change his attitude or behavior.
Brian is really starting to talk. When William talked he did one word at a time and spoke rather clearly. Brian has been speaking in complete, though not understandable, setences for some time. Now I'm beginning to understand them. He says things like, "William, may I have the fire truck please?" but it comes out like, "May-may, I ha ire tru pee?" His intonation is perfect and I think that helps a lot. He calls himself "Bri-bri" and William is "May-may." If you want to hear him, call us. He'd be happy to talk to you on the phone, but don't expect him to listen much. Brian has also shown interest in using the potty. He does well as long as I take him frequently enough and he usually tells me as soon as he wets.
So, you can see that we've been a little busy. Perhaps you will forgive the long delay in posting and I'll do my best to keep up in the future.
We also got two ducklings. I'm hoping they are female and will lay eggs for us, but if not, they will make good eating in the fall (if we can manage to not get too attached to butcher them). The boys love to watch the ducks. They have doubled in size in one week! (ducks, not boys)
William asked me if we can have hay and a red barn on our farm. I guess he figures that we have a tractor with a few attachments, chickens, ducks, a cat, and we've started seedlings, then we must have a farm! He also keeps asking for horses and cows. Too bad two acres is not enough space for a milk cow. Then again, I think I already have enough animals to feed and water.
Curt taught me how to drive the tractor yesterday. Brian thought it was great that mommy was on the tractor. He kept smiling and waving at me. We were moving all the woodchips from their various piles to one location near the garden so it will be handy for mulch. The boys were both helping rake. They were climbing on the log pile and sitting in the play house together. So cute. They would both live outside if they could. It should be a fun summer.
Next project: a greenhouse (unheated variety) so we can enjoy winter veggies. I put the chicken coop over the grass where we will put it, so they can kill the grass and fertilize! I also want to make a narrow pen for the hens that I can put between my garden rows, so they can weed there as well. Why should I do the weeding when the chickens like to do it so much?
We would love to let our chickens run free, but we have too many dogs that wander around. I'm afraid they would go after my hens! There are also hawks that fly over the field out back. Still trying to decide. I'd just hate to lose more birds.
Updates on boys:
William is reading extremely well now. He loves to do school and he likes math just as much as reading. We are beginning to add and he gets the concept, but we don't have things memorized yet, so don't quiz him. He's also beginning to really want to do what is right. It makes it much easier to help him change his attitude or behavior.
Brian is really starting to talk. When William talked he did one word at a time and spoke rather clearly. Brian has been speaking in complete, though not understandable, setences for some time. Now I'm beginning to understand them. He says things like, "William, may I have the fire truck please?" but it comes out like, "May-may, I ha ire tru pee?" His intonation is perfect and I think that helps a lot. He calls himself "Bri-bri" and William is "May-may." If you want to hear him, call us. He'd be happy to talk to you on the phone, but don't expect him to listen much. Brian has also shown interest in using the potty. He does well as long as I take him frequently enough and he usually tells me as soon as he wets.
So, you can see that we've been a little busy. Perhaps you will forgive the long delay in posting and I'll do my best to keep up in the future.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Pics from William's Birthday
We gave William legos for his fourth Birthday. Not just any legos. Curt's legos from "when he was a boy." William LOVES them. The night before we gave them to him we decided they needed to be cleaned, so we thought up a minimal effort method. We put them in my mesh laundry bag and put them in the dishwasher. Alas, though I set it on "delicate" half the pieces melted. I could have cried. Curt took it quite well and we both were up until after midnight sorting out the good pieces. William plays with them every day.
Ready for an Adventure
It's been forever since I last posted! I've been too busy reading and managing home. I'm beginning the think I'm a reading addict. I think sometimes that I enjoy living life vicariously through reading a book. I've just spent the past two days sailing across the Atlantic in a 45 ft craft. Before that I was running for my life in 14 cen. England. It leaves me yearning for an adventure, though not as dangerous as those I read about.
In a way, we are having an adventure here. Curt is cutting and pulling trees down in our backyard. We watched him pull a maple over with his tractor. Brian almost cried when he saw it fall. It's such a hard thing to do, but we must if we want to grow food. We want a big garden and when your yard is full of trees, some must go. The other up-side to cutting trees is free firewood. I think we've used our furnace one day this winter. It doesn't even turn on at night. It's chilly by morning and it's no fun to start a fire with a hungry toddler clinging to my back, but hey, it's an adventure!
Our next adventure will be building a chicken coop and getting some hens. I want good, fresh, free range eggs! We saw all the chickens at the farm show this week and I think I want a Polish hen. I have no idea how well they lay eggs, but they are worth it for the laugh. Not only do they have the crazy do, but they know it. They are constantly flipping their "hair."
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