It is official. We live on a farm. Today, pigs joined the menagerie. I'm honestly not sure who was more excited, Brian or Olivia. Either way, they were counting down the days until today arrived, and as a family we would discuss potential names for the little fellas. The top two names were Wilbur and Pork Chop. (I'd like to add how much I love that it was Liv's idea to name one "Pork Chop." That girl cracks me up.)
It was a beautiful and very mild January day (high in the low 60's) so the kids and I took advantage of the weather and played outside until Brian came home. (Liv was disappointed she couldn't go so she was determined to be outside when he returned so she wouldn't miss ANYTHING.)
So, until he returned we:
Hung out with the turkeys at the front of the house.
Joe was harassed by Berry the turkey while we let the rabbits out to frolic.
And Liv taught Joe how to jump (or stomp, in his case) in mud puddles. Whee!
Finally ... Papa and the pigs came. I helped him get the crate out of the back of the car and we brought them into their pen, opened up the crate and waited. And waited. They grunted, they did not look pleased. We tempted them with some peaches and Wilbur, then Pork Chop ventured out into their yard. We hung out for a little while before heading in to have some lunch and let them get accustomed to their new home. So far, so good.
Until... Brian got back from returning the crate and running some errands. One pig had escaped and when he opened the fence, the other barreled out. Let me say this: these little porkers are surprisingly fast. We were finally able to herd them back into their pen, but it wasn't easy. Here's hoping it doesn't happen again. One thing is for sure, life is going to be much more interesting around here. Stay tuned!
Last year for her birthday, Brian and I got Olivia horseback riding lessons as a gift instead of a bunch of toys that would sit around, cluttering up the house after the initial excitement wore off. Once we moved into our new home and got settled in, Brian found an amazing place nearby that offered lessons to young children. We took a tour of the facilities and signed her up immediately. Liv has been riding for just over 4 months now and is doing an incredible job. Being on the horses (especially Jewel, her first ride) is definitely her happy place. My happy place? Watching her doing something she loves. I'll do another post with some pictures and videos of her riding, but for now, here she is with Jewel in a photo shoot that was held during a Christmas horse camp she recently attended:
In 57 words or less, tell us about the New Year’s resolution you WANT to make but KNOW you’ll break.
I want to work less. Not be a slacker,
just stop at 40 hours. Working from home has its challenges, as does running
a national program almost single-handedly. I must resist the urge to answer one
more e-mail, to finish up one last thing and allow myself to let it wait until
tomorrow. But can I?
Finally things are starting to get back to normal after Christmas and both kids had their first trip out of the house since going to the doctor on Sunday. (Liv had bronchitis, Joe a sinus infection so there has been a lot of resting going on at home.) Since it was so cold at home - and since we were going to be going to Grandma and Grandpa's house for a Christmas party on Saturday, Brian suggested the kids and I have a sleepover. I packed up the kids and headed out before he could change his mind. :)
Today, on the 12th day of Christmas, Grandma and Grandpa had a little belated Christmas party so we could celebrate with Aunt Fran and Uncle Gene now that everyone was feeling better. Before they came over, Grandpa was able to take the yearly picture of the kids in the Santa bags. What a pleasure to have such cooperative subjects!
We had a wonderful time visiting with Aunt Fran and Uncle Gene, eating a delicious meal and exchanging presents - it was the perfect way to end the Christmas season. We can't wait to see them again!
I hope you enjoy the pictures from today - as well as a video from earlier this week of Joe Sung Ming getting pretty silly with a Christmas bow. We love our little goofball! :)
Today was the 5th annual Santa Party, where Santa makes an early stop at Grandma and Grandpa's house to spread some holiday cheer, encourage the kids to continue with their best behavior and, of course, give them each a little present. Most of those in attendance are Liv and Joe's cousins, along with their parents and grandparents and some friends from church and Liv's former school. By now, everyone knows the routine: get to the party house, play, eat, sing Christmas songs and wait for the big guy to show up. Everyone was SO excited. Except Joe, who opted to stay on the sun porch playing with his toys while the rest gathered in the living room for Santa's arrival. (Gotta give the boy credit, there was no competition for toys, so maybe HE was on to something.)
Finally Santa arrived with bells jingling and carrying overflowing bags of presents. He spent some time with each child , led everyone in a Christmas song and then got down to business. It is amazing how for Joe Sung Min has come in the past year. Check out his picture with Santa last year - and how much better he was this year (granted, he didn't get as close, but hey, baby steps.)
One by one, each child was called up as Santa's assistant, Camille, picked their present out of the bag. Liv enjoyed her time with Santa, although I was surprised how nervous she was around him. He assured her that he knew where our new house in the country was and that he couldn't wait to see all of her animals. That put her mind at ease.
The kids were all SO good, waiting patiently until everyone received their presents from Santa before ripping them open to see what was inside - and then excitedly playing with each others new treasures. It was another wonderful evening thanks to Grandma, Grandpa and, of course Santa. We can't wait until next year's!
Grandma was happy to have all her grandkids at the party this year. :)
In 57 words or less, tell about one of your family's holiday traditions.
(NOTE: I didn't say you had to LIKE the tradition.)
My 6 year old and I were talking about the different holiday traditions we share as a family. Some are passed down from my family, some from her Papa's and an ever growing number that our little family has started over the past years. Liv asked if she could be the writer this week and I was happy to oblige. While it may not answer the prompt completely, it does reflect her uniqueness (and is 57 words or less.) (And I would like to add that this is a tradition she and her dad share.) Without any further ado:
I have lots of Christmas traditions. I love to make cookies with my Mama and decorate the tree. On Christmas morning we open presents, eat Monkey Bread and go to church. My new favorite tradition is waking up early the week before Christmas to help Papa butcher Christmas dinner. This year, it is our turkey, KnitKnots.
At Thanksgiving, Liv composed a song that I have since titled "An Ode to Mr. Puff('s Butchering)" which, as you may have guessed, is about the first turkey we (and by "we" I mean my husband and Liv) butchered. It became an instant classic in our home and many around the country. It *is* a little graphic at times but as long as you don't mind hearing about intestines, I think you'll get a kick out of this little ditty.
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