Our Newest Addition

Albeit temporary. Meet Charlotte.
And she can fetch too. I'm going to be working with her this week to master sit and to be totally housetrained so she can be adopted on Saturday.

This dog is so similar to Jake, Jr. that it is a bit bizarre for me. I do a lot of double takes.

Playtime with Cora

and the boys also. . .

Cora has now found her loud, girly, shrieking voice. It's funny at first, but honestly I wish it would have stayed lost for a little longer. As if our two boys are not loud enough. (Listen at the very end to what Bradford says.)

Bread Baking Day

We now own our very own grain mill, so freshly baked bread is even fresher. Last week I baked our usual six loaves, which usually last about a week. I also tried some Italian Walnut-Raisin and added some dried cranberries to the mix. Wonderful.

Pajama Time

Is more fun when McCance can play with Cora in the process!

And vice versa.

Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart

Recently we read a library book about Eleanor Roosevelt and Amelia Earhart. The boys enjoyed the story, which was based on history, but the best part was the dessert that was served the evening Amelia Earhart and her husband stayed at the White House. Angel Food Cake and Pink Clouds. Mmmmmm!

McCance helped me make my very first ever homemade angel food. I will be making it more often now. It was so delicious. (None left for the next day. That's how yummy it was.) The pink clouds were not as big of hit as the angel food itself, but sure were beautiful.

Eating Insects

That's what Cora has been doing lately!

Bradford's Cement Mixer--Lego Style

Big Sandy Creek Farm

We arrived shortly before the rest of our group. . .

Obviously not the real thing. . .

Scott showing off his artistic side through photography

A three-week old calf

Derrick and Scott tried to tell McCance that it was the smell of money,
but he told them, "I want to go home now."

Farmer Julie helps three girls pretend to churn milk into butter--
well, first they donned the hats and aprons.

McCance, Eden Grace, and Bradford wait for the hayride to begin

About half of our group checking out the heifers eating their treat

A view of the heifers as we rode through the pasture

A heifer

McCance and Andrew take turns on the Massey-Ferguson

Cora borrowed Bradford's farmers cap (Macoupin-Montgomery Farm Service)

This poor mama-to-be Holstein--I don't think I ever felt quite like
she looks when I was pregnant! She was due any minute.

This was where they mixed the food for the cows so that it
contained the correct percentages of the grains that they need (nutritionally).

Afterwards, we took our picnic to Harris Shoals Park in Watkinsville.
The boys climbed on the shoals.

I don't recall ever seeing a sign like this before.

One final slide before heading home

New Bicycle

They're sharing it, but other than the fact that that proves very difficult, they are loving it.

Cora's Playtime

Cora is now 4 months old and really enjoying her Bumbo seat over the bouncy seat. She likes to be able to sit up like a big girl even if she can't do it all alone yet. Leslie gave her a tray to use with it. So we can pile her toys on the tray and let her drop them onto the floor one by one. Then she tries to turn to reach the last one she drops until she's nearly sideways in the seat.
She also likes playing with her toys, rolling from back to front and then scooting around 180 degrees (sometimes 360, but usually she just goes halfway), and sometimes rolling on her back again under her gym.

Cora's 4 month stats are 15 pounds and 4 ounces in weight and 26 1/2 inches in height. Dr. Baker said she's as long as an average 7 month old girl. Thus the reason behind the fact that she's already in 6-9 month clothes and even some 9-12 month things (mostly the onesie style things.)

McCance's 4th Birthday: An Artist's Party

The invitation

Proof that I decorated the cake

Ta-dah! Definitely not professional, but I love it anyway.

Dad with the pinata I made and he painted.
It's "l'artiste Francais" sans beret.

My dad was the oldest of the four adults on party prep duty. And he was the only one who could blow up the balloons completely. Isn't he a fabulous Papa?

Some future artists practice on the easels L-R: Tristan L., Peyton L., Scott S., and Bradford

Blowing out the candles

Opening gifts

In line for the pinata breaking--

Andrew, McCance, Tristan, Luke, Rachel, Scott, Bradford, and Peyton