Harvest Break

I love that our small, rural school still lets the kids out for "Spud Harvest Break." And while there are several harvesting potatoes, I refer to it just as "Harvest Break." What a lifesaver it has been not to have to worry about school for a few of the craziest weeks of our year!

After a slow start, we are finally making some headway in our corn harvest. In previous years we've harvested somewhere around 1700 acres of silage corn and 700 acres of grain corn. This year we have the same amount of grain corn, but nearly 3000 acres to chop.

The kids are pros at putting on the hustle as soon as we get a phone call that requires some action. They love being able to help and contribute. It really is a team effort and I'm grateful they're so understanding. So many days, our plans get aborted or rearranged.

Taking out water for the innoculant tank.

Taking food out to the crews never gets old, especially when you get some for yourself.

Riding in the chopper. We have to take shifts, the cab no longer accommodates the entire family.

On A Roll

Thumbs up from coach.

Ruby has been jazzed about using the potty ever since she got a little Dora seat. As a matter of fact, she wanted to take it into every store that day like it was some sort of trophy . She fell asleep on the way home clutching it.

Dalanie has been equally excited and took to being potty patrol. She has been earning M&Ms along with Ruby when she helps her. She has been very consistent and potty training has been paramount on her agenda. With their teamwork, Ruby's potty trained (wearing panties to church and into public.)

Family Motto

Our family drafted and adopted a motto back in April. Funny that the kids had it memorized long before I got it displayed. It hangs in our family Hall of Fame.

Not Bad For A Gringo

It's taken me awhile to want to make more tamales since my last adventure. But I've been craving them (maybe it's just withdrawals from the Branch) so I decided to try my hand at it, solo.
I picked tomatillos from the garden and the girls were happy to husk them all. Their little fingers stayed busy for awhile!
I made up a green sauce to add to the shredded pork using onions and jalapenos from the garden.
Next I gathered up corn husks from our corn patch and gave them a good washing.Finally I mixed the masa. The secret is stock from your meat and lard.After several hours, I had 7 dozen tamales ready to be steamed.I called Hermana Uribe to ask her about the steaming and she was surprised to find out that I had them already to go. She couldn't believe I remembered the process and recipes. She joked that I am a fast learner because Mexicans will call her to ask for help all the time.

We fed them to the crews and they got their seal of approval. Now if only I could speak Spanish, I'd practically be Mexican.

Round Robin

Back during my steer showing days, I remember a Round Robin event. Showmen took turns showing a variety of animals in order to demonstrate their showmanship proficiency. With harvest underway, I feel like the kids and I have been entered into a Round Robin contest. We've been moving pipe, driving truck, training drivers, pushing cows in the hills, and running parts. Not to mention the usual rigamaroll of cooking, cleaning, and yardwork. We might not be the most proficient, but we definitely are the most available this time of year.

Determined Dalanie

Determined. Dalanie. It's no coincidence that they both start with D. After all, they're practically synonymous in my book. Whether it's a fit she's throwing or competition she's involved in, she has set her mind to winning. Riding her bike has been no different. She's been riding it around the driveway for a few weeks, but I finally decided she was "road worthy." We set out with a destination in mind, me knowing full well that we'd probably ditch the bike in the weeds and have her hop in the trailer a little way down the road.

Well, her little legs just kept pedaling. Even when she said she was tired, she just kept pedaling. She rode a mile to the neighbors and a mile back home. That's an awful lot of pedaling for a tiny bike and tiny tires. She was so proud of her accomplishment. . . and so was I.

Sandbox Satisfaction

It's no secret, I love sandboxes. (I've got a big one to prove it.)

I love the creativity and imagination they foster.
I love the endless hours of entertainment.
I love that they're a kid magnet.
I love gritty scalps and sandy toes.
I love watching the kids play together, shoveling and hauling.
I love the magic when you 'just add water.'

I get a sick sense of satisfaction when sand falls out of pockets and crevices onto the bathroom rug. And when the bathtub looks more like a beach when the kids are finished.

Who Dunnit?

The produce is on in the garden which means that all sorts of creatures have moved in.

Was it Mr. 'Coon in the cornpatch? And his wonderful assistant Mrs. Skunk spilling her perfume? Judging my the damage, they invited all of their friends to help share the spoils. I'd say they ate 1/2 of the sweet corn this year. My blood pressure would spike every time I went to the patch. Hudson is rather excited at the prospects of a coon cap since we managed to cage one this year.

And what about Mr. & Mrs. Peacock in the garden? With their beaks in my biggest, reddest tomatoes. That's right, we're home to some transient peacocks now. I'm trying to decide if it's the garden or the highest roost in the neighborhood that attracted them.Despite all of the predators we've still had plenty to pickle, process, preserve, and share.

County Fair

The kids and I decided to avoid the crowds at the State Fair and host our own backyard fair. The kids were out for 'teacher development' (aka the day to go to the fair.) We made some phone calls and threw some things together.

The main attraction ended up being the face painting. It couldn't be a fair without long lines, so the kids had to wait for their turn. By the end, we had a whole pack of tigers roaming around.

There was a cupcake walk.
Open class exhibits. Obstacle course. Bean bag toss.
And of course, some scones.
All in all, it was a huge success. The kids are already talking about our backyard fair for next year.

Aaaawww

The other night the kids wanted to walk home through the field. My heart about melted when I saw them grab each others' hands.

Hudson's just what a big brother should be. Part protector and part tease.

What's That Mean

Dalanie came up to me, kinda smirky, to tell me that she peed outside.
Standing up.
And it went pretty far.

And then she asked "What's that mean?"

I think she was a little disappointed to hear that she was still a girl.