Farm Fun!

We've been taking advantage of every minute of sunshine we can get lately.  Yesterday I snapped some photos of the kids helping with the daily "chores" around the farm--feeding the sheep, goats and donkey, collecting eggs from the chickens and turkeys, and checking on our newest additions--two sweet black baby lambs.  Living on a farm can be such fun!

Kai wrestling with "Brittany"

Ruby in a standoff with a rogue hen.

Kai "helping" Pla Shee refill the chicken waterers.

Ruby with her Daiya.

First lamb of spring!

Well, we had our first lamb of the spring season born yesterday evening, and this morning, more evidence that One World Farm truly is "back." Yesterday evening Pla Shee went out to feed the animals and came back inside a few minutes later with a precious black lamb all bundled in a towel.  He was so proud, and immediately decided to name her "Brittany."  I have my suspicions about the name choice being connected to a potential love connection in his class, but he adamantly denies this. ;)

Anyway, we set up Brittany and her mom in an enclosure together, hooked up mom with water and extra feed, and called it a night.  This morning before work, both looked great, so I got them more feed and water and headed to work.  Well, wouldn't you know that on the drive to work it started pouring down rain.  Despite having already driven 20 minutes, I turned the car around and headed back home.  Then, with Kai and Ruby snuggled up in the car, I wrestled the enclosure and mama and baby sheep into the barn through the rain and mud.  All in my work clothes.  And through it all, I actually had a smile on my face.  I wasn't irritated that I was wet and muddy or that we were all going to be over an hour late to school and work.  Nope, I was smiling because I realized that One World Farm is back.  And I'm back, as an enthusiastic participant.  For the past couple of years, life has been just too demanding to allow for a return trip home to take care of a baby lamb and its mom.  Getting the kids up and dressed and fed and not forgetting lunches and extra diapers and gym clothes was all we could handle.  And that was okay, because it had to be. Just a short while ago, the prospect of going back home to check on a lamb would have been too overwhelming.  But it's not overwhelming anymore. It's okay again.  We can do this.  We can raise a happy, healthy, active family, work at jobs that fulfill us, and do the farm thing.  It's good to be back.

One World Farm is Back!

What a gorgeous Saturday!  I know that we still have a few cold days in store for us this winter, but days like this make living in Texas in February pretty great.  Pla Shee's last basketball game for the season was last night, which meant that we had ALL DAY today with no agenda.  This does not happen often.  We spent the bulk of the day outside, planting in the garden and playing on the swingset.  Three happy kiddos and a content mama and daiya all day long.  And 4 raised beds in the garden are now going strong--two with the onion sets from the other day, one with spinach and sugar snap peas, and one with three different types of lettuce.  Hooray!

Checking out a worm in the garden.

 Ruby doing her share.

Learning to climb...wonder where she got this idea?!

Dallas Mavericks game

To celebrate the end of the season, Pla Shee's basketball team went to see the Dallas Mavericks play on Monday night at American Airlines Center.  Ruby and I stayed home, but Amanda, Aaron, Pla Shee and Kai had a blast despite the Maverick's dismal performance.  The highlight of the evening is always after the game, when the kids are allowed onto the court to attempt a free throw.  Guess what?  PLA SHEE MADE IT!!!  He was so thrilled he could hardly contain himself. 

Kai was inspired to make an attempt as well, with a little help from Daiya.  Unfortunately, he did not make it. 

No worries, though.  As you can see, the highlight for Kai is always the popcorn!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Best Friends

Kai and Ruby have decided that they really like each other.  They reached this realization this month, and are now pretty much inseparable.  Ruby is 16 months, and Kai is 3.5, and they are now best buddies.  It's pretty much the cutest thing ever. 

Kai loves for Ruby to "sit in his lap," which is pretty silly looking since she weighs 23 pounds and he weighs 26.  But, it's what they do.  They love playing in their play kitchen together, and can read books together for a remarkably long while for two toddlers. 

Here they are at the mall yesterday in one of the "ride-on" race cars.  I love the way that Ruby has her arm around Kai from the beginning.  And the cutest ever was when Ruby got scared because the car started tilting and shaking, and she hid her head in Kai's shoulder and gripped his shirt as hard as she could.  Don't worry...I "rescued" her right after I snapped the picture.  :)

Planting Onions

Thought you would appreciate Leroy showing his best side for our photo.  :)

While we are absolutely in love with our sweet young family, one of the most challenging things about having such young kiddos has been that we haven't been able to enjoy living on the farm as much as we used to.  Before we had kids, we would spend every minute of daylight after work and on the weekends planting the garden, repairing fences, working with the animals, and just enjoying the farm.  For the past couple of years, we've spent much less time doing those things, and much more time growing and caring for our family.  Well, I am absolutely THRILLED to report that we have reached the point in which the kids can actually be outside with us contributing to life on the farm.  And they enjoy it!  Hooray for all of us!  Here we all are in the garden planting our onions this afternoon.

Pla Shee and Kai doing their share.

The turkeys eyeing us suspiciously.

Yes, all three kids are eating "hot" cheetos and sharing a gatorade.  Yup, awesome parenting.

Yes, Kai is scratching Leroy's rear with a trowel.  Don't worry, there's a fence in between them.

Kai escaping his planting duties and making a run for the "playground."