A sure sign of the season is the non-stop action that each day brings. The weekend was busy as busy could be. Hubbs and my son left early Friday morning for a "guys" trip to the beach for golf for two days... with me at home to care for the farm for two days. Friday afternoon, I drove to town and picked up our three littlest from school, pre-school, and daycare. Their Mom had to work late, so Grammie fed everyone supper, and gave tubbies, and then packed up the older two so that I could bring them back to the farm with me overnight (after their Mom got home from work).
Saturday morning we got up early and headed out to take care of the animal chores (my two sidekicks and I).
It really warms my heart to see how comfortable these two have become with all of the animals. They both have such gentle, loving souls, and the animals respond in kind.
They are at the age where I can give each of them simple tasks to accomplish, and they eagerly participate.
Besides being well-cared-for, the animals got lots of extra loving... lots and lots of hugs were given... and happily received.
It's amazing how these two remember our routines. Mackenzie loves to feed the goats, so she volutneered for that duty,
while Easton, having conquered his fear of the chickens, volunteers to pick up the day's eggs.
By lunch time, Tyler and his Mom had arrived (with one of Tyler's friends), as well as the Littles' Mommy and baby brother.
We all spent several hours out and about, playing and exploring.
The new chicks were everyone's favorite part of the day.
Mackenzie loved holding the peeps,
and was as gentle as can be.
Tyler and his friend spent the afternoon roaming the farm... independently adventuring, as children their age love to do (hence the lack of photos of them.) I think Tyler enjoyed sharing his farm with his friend.
It was a perfect spring day, with lots of fresh air and sunshine.
Needless to say, everyone was sound asleep in their carseats on the way home.... the sure sign of a perfect, fun day!
For now, baby Eli is too young to appreciate the farm. Eventually we will have another farm hand to help his brother and sister.
Sunday brought a different kind of adventure. The sheep shearer was scheduled to arrive after noon, so, mid-morning we put a call for help out to all of our neighbors. Getting the sheep into the barn takes a small army.
These two are not the most cooperative.
In fact, they are not cooperative at all. Several times they stopped and wedged themselves against the pasture fence, refusing to move. Each of them weighs about 150 pounds, so moving them is no easy task.
Hubbs had to do a lot of convincing.
Finally, they were safely into a barn stall, where they proceeded to stand, hiding in the corner. "If I can't see you, then you aren't there!"
Shearing was completed. I swear, I own the filthiest, fattest, and wooliest sheep in the world. About 10 pounds of wool was removed from each of them!
Feet were trimmed and the couple of nicks, that each received from the shearing equipment, were medicated. Our sheep shearer is very gentle and tries his best to not nick the girls; but that's an almost impossible task.
Luckily, getting these gals back to their yard takes no effort at all. We open the barn door and they happily exit....
then walk a straight line right back into their yard.
The next half hour is spent "stress-eating." But they are none the worse for the event, and will certainly be much happier in the warmer weather now that their snow-suits are removed. Even with all the wool removed, they could still stand to shed a few pounds!
It was the busiest weekend that we have had all year, and this Grammie was exhausted by the end of it. Exhausted and happy.... just like the kids!
Comments
How many sheep were sheared? Do you spin your own? I would love to see the process of doing that from shearing to end product.
Enjoy your day!
And getting the sheep girls sheared - whew!
Mary
EDGAR C. BEARD
Great “education” happening in those few days!