4.15.24 Birthday

After yet another night's activity away I came home to this delightful blast from the past. Harold was giving the happy younger kids a ride. He reminded me of his dad years ago. He will be a good dad someday. 

Andrea continues to tolerate him in small doses, the other kids enjoy talking with him and getting tickled. 

Merle had a birthday and we got new hats and hoes. They have had fun hoeing the still spring fresh dirt. They have also been really good about wearing their hats. 

When given some ideas for dinner hotdogs made him lick his lips. Truely little people are the best because it is easy to make them happy. No one complained about dinner and ate it right up. The older workers got ham and mashed potatoes, some were sad all the hotdogs were gone. 

This guy is just the perfect little brother. He is happiest outside working. On his birthday he spent hours watching a new calf with Reed. He petted the calf calming it hoping to see it suck on its mother. Those first drinks and the connection between cow and calf are important. Reed is very patient and concerned about making sure this happens. Merle came home after dark smelling like a cow happy to have been a helper. The real deal of self-esteem and self-worth comes from real responsibility and need.

Bruce passed off all his sight words last week. His teacher sent this picture recording his accomplishment. 

Merle's cake waiting to be blown out. With his spacious mouth lacking teeth its a little tricky for him. But he managed the 4 candles with some repeats. 

The grandparents and whole family came on Sunday to celebrate. My mom made a jello cake with animal decorations. Everyone enjoyed the cake and visits. 

 We are thankful for each of our kids and the added diversity they bring to our family. Life is good and we are blessed. 

4.10.24 Banged up

Bruce looked a bit peeked but asked politely to go to school anyway. A few hours later I got the call from the school that he was feeling worse and wanted to come home. We drove out to get him and the kids played while I chatted for a few minutes with the new and old librarians. Ladies who have really shaped my children's world views. When we finished our visit I was walking toward the exit doors and Reed came in holding Andrea covered in blood. The entire right side of her face was bloody as were her hands. I took her from him and went to the bathroom to begin assessment and cleanup. One of Livy's friends came in asking if Andrea was ok? I told her yes it was just a head wound and those always bleed a lot that she would be just fine. The girl returned to class. After water and paper towels we discovered the source of blood. The scratch on her eyelid. It wasn't too painful and she let me clean the face without much trouble. I talked to the class and reassured them she would be ok. They had been watching out the windows. Although no one could really explain what happened. 

Outside we found a single drop of blood at a step on the big play toy. Maybe she tripped and hit the step? 

I was able to get a very rare day of-need appointment with the doctor. Bruce, Andrea and I went to the doctor for two hours to check if Bruce had strep. He did not. I asked the doctor what she would do with the still weeping cut? The medical assistant came in with steri strips and iodine and cleaned the cut then securely fastened two pieces of tape on the eye. The weeping leaked down the tape but the tape held. 

Last night Andrea went to sleep early and this morning woke up no complaints. She has not picked at the tape and seems resigned to it on her face. Millie of course loved the hours of loving Andrea and read a few more hundred pages of her book. I was out with the big kids and working on dinner stuff. 

Life is busy and full right now. Too full. But until we reign in the source of busyness life will just roll on. We are about to break ground and that will add a lot more responsibility to each day. Somehow it will all work out. We are blessed. 
 

3.9.24 3rd qtr awards and playing

Well 3 quarters down from the school year and it was another round of awards ceremonies. Thanks to the many hours of winter with no other responsibilities the kids had some awards for most lessons passed on ready and ixl. I missed Bruces awards because I got my times confused. A friend shared the picture.

Reed and Millie getting their names on the reading placks. Reed 3500, Millie 1500. These two are always found with their noses in books. 

Everyone got an award, Reed and Millie on Honor Roll, Livy 100% attendance Afton got 5-6 for most lessons passed and citizenship. I'm pleased with the effort and attention they five their school work. 

Then the younger kids and I headed to get groceries and pickup barley seed to plant before the rain. Trailer in tow we managed the walmart parking lot. I couldn't park in the designated area but we walked up and waited for our large dairy order. the kids enjoyed the sunshine and warmth while we waited. This was much more enjoyable for them than sitting in the car. 

I love grocery pickup. I'd dreamed of it when all the kids were little. Now it's a reality and help. I spend less I don't have to battle a heavy cart. It's just lovely. And I Was really proud of myself for managing the trailer in all the traffic with no problems. I'm struck many times a day by how my decision to exercise in the fall has made me better able to manage the reality of lots of kids and moving lots of weight all the time. 

At home Lia, Merle and Andrea decided to go camping. This is their fire and snacks.  

 Life is good these sillies have fun most days all day. There are some squabbles but following where Lia's imagination leads is the norm. 

4.8.24 Owyhee

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4.7.24 Winning Speaking

We had another jaunt across the state this weekend for the annual American Legion Oratorical contest. Addie was reluctant, to say the least and was there to please her dad. We arrived in the daylight because we traveled early in case the roads were unfavorable. Thankfully there were no hazards to our journey, besides the many cars on the road. We saw more cars on this trip than all of the other 4-6 trips we've made in the last 2 years. After a nice rest at the hotel, we had one less practice session. 

All warmed up we went to the legion hall where we dropped Addie off and we headed to Walmart. The nice optometrist tech assured me that my very mangled unusable glasses could be repaired. Somehow they had fallen off the nightstand and Addie's feet had found them in the morning. I need my glasses for day-to-day living. I was beyond relieved and thankful when after a mere 10 minutes the technician had them better than before.  They weren't constantly sliding down my nose and were tight and secure as glasses should be. She would not accept payment but we thanked her again and again for her service.

We arrived back at the legion hall to find only three contestants of the possible ten. At the last minute, the young man arrived unbeknownst to anyone, and the candidates were whisked away to seclusion so the contest could start. After more than an hour of speaking the judge's scores were tallied and the results were read. The pictures were taken. 

I thought this was a fair ranking. The top girl shown had an interesting speech and her amendment was also full of information. The second girl was a more clear speaker and mastered the use of the pause I found her information less strong, but still she did a good job. Addie had a very optimistic patriotic speech and she was the best presenter. Her voice fluctuated and had emotion, she controlled her body movements and did a fine job presenting. Her amendment is sweet and wholesome while also addressing the components of the 5th Amendment. The young man forgot his speech and really struggled, but he did not quit and made the time requirements. 

As the results were announced two lady judges behind us said that's not right we had your daughter first. I shrugged my shoulders anything can and does happen at these events. Well, the head of the state stopped the meeting and said I need to talk to you the contest director. She came to the back of the room and they clarified the writing on the paper. She then announced that Addie had won and switched her and the other redhead the one they first announced as the winner. 

Oh, that was a hard moment for all involved. There was no clear stand-out winner in my mind. I knew the boy was 4th but the girls all had different strengths and weaknesses. Honestly, Addie was absolutely fine with 3rd. This picture was about as fast and as ceremonious as the correction was. The new 3rd place was extremely poised and gracious. We had visited with her and her family for the past two years and are not gleeful at the swap. But it stands as it was corrected. We spoke with and thanked the many legionnaires who spoke to us. It is a generous scholarship offering. 

I demanded one picture of Addie and her dad who spurs this participation on. We have a lot of figuring out to do. State track is two days before, and the coach thinks they may have a chance to win state as a team. I think that's a really big if. Graduation is on the final day of the speaking competition. However, the competition is also great preparation for going further in FFA. There is little to no money in the FFA speaking competition, but your peers are around and have a small understanding of what you are doing. American Legion is pretty lonely and not familiar to any other kids- hence the reason for winning the scholarships. A lot to weigh and work out. We are trying to agree, support, and advise, through the murky water of our own understanding, her desires and abilities, and many out-of-our-control variables. 

We got on the road, and when the business of travel is over my heart longs for home and I have no desire to linger far away. We found this on top of the blues. Thankfully the road was clear but there was a fresh few inches of snow from the night. 

Out on the high desert, there were many signs a lot of water being laid down on the vast prairies. Addie was getting driving experience and I was very thankful we were not in any too hard-to-handle situations. The road kept skirting the water deposits and besides navigating corners and the one car she passed the road was just long and open. 

There are many differences between the two pictures. Team and peer support are becoming more obvious motivators of participation. From running relays to the Ag Issues team, Addie likes to work with and for her peers. 

This banner and the top honors at American Legion worked hand in hand. I don't know what she will choose, I'm sure there will be a lot of fireworks in the future. And maybe a very happy 2nd place winner going to Nationals. I'm pleased with the way she has challenged herself in all areas of high school competition and learning. She has grown so much and gained confidence in the two years she has been in high school. At this rate, I'm sure there are many more banners and awards coming. We just try to hold on for the ride and give her space and counsel that helps her continue to succeed. We are blessed. 

 

4.4.24 Piggies

We are pig farmers again. We got the fair pigs this weekend which meant the kids had some work to do on the pig pens. The biggest upside to this whole experience is giving the kids something to do that's real and meaningful and time spent together. Bruce had a rough spring break because he was so bored. That's one side effect of school and lots of schedule and learning new things is free time at home is not so fun anymore. We are working to find age appropriate responsibility for him but he had some hard correction because of his poor choices during the week. Seeing pictures of him working on a pig shelter give me some ideas of what to have him do next. 

Afton and Millie are about the same size they are shown moving the water barrel freshly cleaned back to the pig pen.

Reed and Merle freshly securing the door so the pigs don't get out. The bigger kids were all gone, but Reed is a masterful animal guy even if he is still being instructed in patience and kindness with his sisters. 

I was hanging up laundry today and heard the water running. Merle was down in the pen making a mud spot for them. 

He had also fed them a lot of feed. These pigs only need 120-140 more pounds to be fair weight. They will not be eating all day everyday until the fair.Thus, he had to scoop the trough mostly empty.

Instead he can feed them fresh barley grass. Most animals really like barley. It regrows at an amazing rate and consistency. We will be planting more soon. 

HE has a lot of plants to choose from and will be sharing with them quite often I think. 

Well loved pigs grow the biggest. Merle is off to a good start making bigger pigs. 

Reed made sure they had plenty of straw to burrow into. The spring weather is hot then cold and pigs like to be warm so this was good to see also the fair-skinned pigs will suburn so seeing them in the shade was also reassuring. 

Merle was also splashing around in their mud pit. I told him to get out and not do that anymore. Pig stink is unique and strong. He will need a bath when he comes in. Lia was pounding away on something in another pen. This is the goodness of childhood. 

Sunshine, time and space to explore, create, and imagine. I'm amazed we don't get sick from all their animal encounters. I'm thankful for the real need and response of animals to kids. They enjoyed hours outside today showing promises of summer. Life is good we are blessed. 

 

4.3.24 Boise museum

 The younger kids love to look at some picture books I have of the older kids at their ages. One place that has captivated them is the Baker History Museum and Burger Bob's big milkshakes. I have been wanting to take them to Baker for a while but the museum is closed for the winter and the interpretive center is also closed. Finally, the City Museum opened but I decided Boise was closer and I could get more accomplished going to Boise than Baker. So Friday we loaded up after a quick final sort of stuff to drop off at the donations center and we headed to Boise. For these farm kids going to see all the sites along the way is an experience. From all the cars to the multistory buildings, to the huge shopping center, they were gawking. We stopped at Winco in Boise to buy lunch supplies because I knew all they would say in the museum was how hungry they were if not fed before entering. So sandwiches chips and fruit for lunch in the park. 

The museum was pretty great. I think Greg would really enjoy it without kids so we could actually read the exhibits. I did not read much mostly just broke up fights and kept track of everyone. 

It was pretty interesting though and had several interactive portions. 

We were surprised to find a whole room display about Bob Hope.  I have no idea what the connection was but the kids did stop and watch a movie about him. I loved him as a kid. 

Downstairs they had a small model steam engine with sound effects the kids really enjoyed. 

And the one exhibit I wanted them to see the two-headed calf. I remembered this from when I went as a child long ago. 

When I got home Mark and Greg informed me our local vet clinic also has a stuffed two-headed calf. I was bummed we may have just done there and got milkshakes in town. Oh well, we got rid of a lot of excess at the donation center. 

The kids had a good time looking and learning a little. It's a lot to keep the 7 headed in the same direction. We had a good time though and enjoyed milkshakes at home. As inflation keeps driving prices up I'm trying to teach the kids how buying at the grocery store is more economical than the fast food places. So we had our bucket of ice cream bought for $6.00 and milkshakes for 10. Instead of $10 milkshakes at $5.00  a piece. And we got home sooner! Life is good.