Weekend Update

Our forecast for this weekend was Rain, Rain, Rain.  And gratefully, we got quite a bit of it!  But amid all the showers we were actually able to squeeze in a bit of fun.  Friday night, after our take-out pizza, mowing the lawn and planting just a few more tomatoes, Heath built a nice little fire and we roasted marshmallows and had smores!

The kids loved it!  

And as proof of any good camp fire, by the end of the evening were all covered in sticky marshmallows and dirt.

At one point D, who as usual had no shoes on, stepped in a hot, half melted mallow that T had dropped on the ground.  It was a great night, and I'm so glad that long days are finally here.  

Another thing we were lucky enough to get done between rain showers was plant a tree. We've been looking everywhere for a Cameo apple tree, with no luck.  But Heath found this Gala and we thought we would give it a try.

As you can see we have very, very, very rocky soil!  But apparently that doesn't bother trees so much.

Heath did a great job planting our tree.  I know it looks like it's leaning, it was just really windy yesterday.  He also staked and watered the tree and it looked great today after nearly a day and a half of long soaking rain.  

After moving into our house, the kids soon discovered a tire that had once been used as a tire swing laying under the deck.  Since their discovery they have been dragging it around the yard by its tattered remains of a rope, begging Heath to hang it up.  So after buying some new rope and finding just the right limb, the kids now have their very own tire swing!  And they couldn't be happier!

D told us that he was "going to catch the chickens" and made several attempts at roping the chickens.

The chickens are doing great!  They are now 7 weeks old and still growing.  We have been letting them free range daily and they seem quite happy.  

They love to get out to peck and scratch and look for yummy things to eat.  We are right on schedule with our healthy, happy, curious chickens and can't wait for some eggs come September.  

After two days of rain the bees were happy for the cloud break to get out of the hive.

Wicked Jack

Last week a long awaited package arrived...BABY CHICKS!!!!  We now have 25 Black Sex-Link Pullets.  They are a cross between a Road Island Red and a Barred Rock.  They are a dual purpose chicken, that lay lots of big, brown eggs.  We ordered our chicks from Dunlap Hatchery in Caldwell, ID.  They were great to work with, our chick arrived on time, alive and healthy!  

Everyone quickly got settled in the brooder Heath made, and they couldn't be happier.

The kids absolutely love the new baby chicks and can't get enough of them.  First thing every morning (even before TV time, which is saying a lot) they want to go out and check on them. All three of them hop in the brooder and chase the little flock around until they work up the nerve to quickly grab one.

T has been cracking us up from the very beginning.  First he wanted to let the chickens live in his bedroom, and assured us that he would "take good care of them and keep them nice and warm."  Then, the first night after Heath got home from work and dinner was served, he asked the kids if they wanted to go and "tuck in the chicks for the night."  Of course they couldn't get out the door fast enough.  As I was washing up the dishes, T came back inside the house a little upset, still trying to convince Heath that we had to cover all of them up with straw and kiss them good night.  

He especially loves the "runt."  Every time we go and check on the chicks he has to find the littlest one, who he has affectionately named Wicked Jack, to hold and love on.  We are not really sure where he got this name from, but we don't have the heart to tell him that Jack is really a Jill.     

It's fun to have the chicks, but even more fun to watch our children love and care for them.  They all have been so responsible and loving.  We love watching our little flock grow and develop.