Meet the Chickens...

...and the ducks, and the turkey. Yes, we have several chickens, three ducks, and a turkey. And, Marley, of course. But, most of you have met our dog, Marley. You may or may not know we have farm animals.

In short, the Easter Bunny delivered ten baby chicks and three baby ducks to Lauren and Catherine this past Easter.

The girls were delighted, John was thrilled, I was apprehensive to say the least.

Over the course of the spring and summer months our chickens and the turkey encountered several unfortunate and sometimes terminal accidents.

For example, once we moved the chickens and ducks to the farm, the chickens started disappearing from the pen. Oh, did I mention they lived in my garage for several weeks? There are not many wives that would allow their husbands to commandeer their garage for the sake of farm animals. But, that's how I roll.

So, once they moved the chickens started diminishing in number. Daily, and one by one they would vanish. We were down to one chicken. For some reason, the ducks remained unscathed. The pen did not have a cover so John and I speculated that a hawk or owl was enjoying a free chicken buffet.

Luckily, Lauren really did not notice before John had time to get replacement chicks. And, each time he would come home with new chicks she had a new baby (or five) to play with. Lauren had a ball carrying them around the house, wrapping them in blankets, and having tea parties with her birds. And she named a few. The turkey she called Big Foot and two of the chickens became Super Man and Cinderella.

Super Man and Cinderella are the ones strutting on the far left of this photo.

Lauren loved on Big Foot, the turkey, so much she inadvertently broke his leg. Luckily, one of the kind elders at our church is a veterinarian professor and just happens to be my former youth minister. So, I called Dan and asked him what to do. The thought of putting the turkey of his misery was too much to bear.

I put John on the phone with Dan and they had a 15 minute conversation on how to splint a baby turkey's leg. Seriously. And, then John made me help him splint Big Foot's little leg. John used so much medical tape to secure Broke Foot's leg to his body, he looked like he was in a partial body cast. Poor Broke Foot, I mean Big Foot.

Unfortunately, Broke Foot did not survive once he moved from the garage to the farm. His broken leg proved to be a far disadvantage when trying to escape the creature that grabbed him in the night. We are not sure how he met his ultimate demise. There was evidence of a struggle and many turkey feathers were strewn in and below his pen.

Once again, John was able to replace Broke Foot without Lauren's notice. See how happy she and the "new" Big Foot are together?
Even Catherine likes to get in on the turkey action!

It's the Little Things in Life #1

I don't know if my husband would agree with me on this statement, but I truly gain pleasure from the smallest things. Things that some may call trivial can bring me great joy.

For example, it struck me this evening as I was loading the dishwasher that I LOVE it when I completely maximize every single inch of space available in my dishwasher. I mean, you couldn't shove even one more knife in that thing and it get cleaned effectively. It really makes me happy.

Isn't it fun when we can derive pleasure from the most everyday, boring tasks?

My Daughter, the Nail Biter

Help!!

Lauren has started biting her nails. Many of you know, I have struggled with the same habit all my life. I really do not want her to battle the same habit the rest of her life.

As we all know, ladies' hands look best clean, neat and manicured.

Do as I say, not as I do. Right?!

P.S. Any advice on how to nip-this-in-the-bud is more than welcome.

Lauren's Little Friend

So, John was out cutting trees or doing something else manly and outdoorsy yesterday afternoon. And, he comes home with a new pet for Lauren. Which wouldn't be a problem if it were something small, cute and furry. But, it wasn't. This little guy is her new best friend. He's small, but a far cry from cute and furry.

What is that on her head? I asked the same question. It is some sort of lizard. I think it looks like a miniature Komodo dragon. She named it Rusty. And, then she did this:

And, then this:

No, she didn't bite Rusty's head off. But, she did kiss him. Several times. And, take him for a ride in the baby doll stroller.
Rusty had the time of his life. Actually, I think he was in a state of shock. Notice Catherine's diaper on the floor. I have no explanation for that.

Nor, do I have any explanation for why my daughter loves lizards, caterpillars, and crickets as much as she loves dressing up as a princess and wearing tiaras. She is well rounded.

I try to be supportive of her interests, I really do. John does not want any "sissy" girls, and I agree with him. But, that lizard really creeps me out. I can handle the cute green ones. Oh, those are fine. But, the ones that resemble miniature Komodo dragons? John, please. There is only so much I can take.

This morning Lauren figured out just how much they creep me out. I was helping her get dressed and she was holding the dragon, I mean lizard. As we were putting on her shorts she put her hand on my shoulder. The same hand that held the lizard. I screamed (like the girl that I am) and jumped away. Lauren laughed. She was delighted to see the look of horror that had flashed across my face.

So, as I was bending down to finish helping her put on her shorts, she throws Rusty as close to my face as possible. "He wants to give you a kiss, Mommy." I told her I was allergic to lizard kisses.


Oh, and if you were wondering what a Komodo dragon is, here you go:
That is Rusty's cousin. Frightening, huh? Imagine a miniature version living in a mason jar inside your house!

Welcome to our Family Blog!

Hi Friends!

My goal is to have new pictures of the girls each week, we’ll see how long I can keep up. Okay, so I thought about that...there is NO way THAT will happen so we’ll go with every once in while. I can handle that! (Karen, don't hold me to this, please.) This picture is my attempt at getting a “good” photo of my girls on Easter Sunday.

A good photo of both is hard to come by.

Unless of course, they are in the bath tub and covered with bubbles. Who can resist the tub pictures? Good thing they are both under the age of 4. Let's keep everything here G-rated, people.

I guess I just need to let go of my desire for a decent family picture. I’ve accepted that it will never happen. Catherine was very grumpy and cold in this one.

So what really frustrates me is Catherine’s non-existent attention span, Lauren’s “funny” faces, John’s short patience level, and my desperate attempts to get all bows in place and smiles on faces. My unattainable dream.

Notice the forced smile on poor John's face. See how Catherine is desperately trying to free herself from my embrace. Maybe I should hire a professional....photographer, not hit man.

See how long I've been seeking the perfect family picture? And, when I say perfect, I use that term loosely, very loosely. This was taken a year ago while visiting family in Rhode Island. Many of you have heard the story of my most recent trip to RI. What a debacle. I DO NOT, repeat DO NOT ever recommend flying alone with two small children. In fact, traveling anywhere alone with two small children is never a good idea. Just ask my sweet sister in-law, Karen. I'm just saying.

So back to the photo issue. I mean, is it too much to ask to have four people simultaneously smile at the camera (and look happy?!) Check these out. My most recent attempt. We all have tried this or know someone that has.....

Wow. Poor John, isn't he a great sport? You know what he's thinking. How much longer do I have to endure this torture. The rest of your life, my friend. Don't even comment on my hair, it was windy. And apparently, Lauren had business to attend to....in her nose.

Notice the expression on my face. This is the point at which I gave up.....for the evening. Next time I'll hire a professional. Or, do like my friend, Susie, and time my beach vacation for the same weekend as our photographer friend. That was pure genius, Susie. And, your beach pictures are beautiful....and make me very envious. I'm just saying.

I did get this one photo I sort of like.
Notice how I tweaked the colors to make it look antiqued, sepia, or something? Isn't that cool? Man, I love my Mac. And, my girls. Oh, and John. And, okay....I love you too, Marley. When I'm not chasing you all around the neighborhood. But, that's another story for another time.