Farm Kids
I’m so proud of my kiddos. I really am. Sometimes I forget that they’re only 7, 4, and 3. (And even though the Ladybug is 7, when she does stuff around here she’s not cooperating with peers. She’s collaborating with a 3 and 4 year old.)
Wish the pictures were better, but I’m still glad I got something!
On Friday, before I left for the Ladies Retreat, I sent them out by themselves to move some water buckets around for some new sheep we got. It was foggy, cold, and rainy. They had to open and close gates and make sure that none of the sheep got out (and Penny didn’t get in!).
Speedracer was the gate guard.
Sometimes I get so frustrated because I think they should know, they should be able, they should be ready–and they’re not.
Then I see my little 3 year old out there working gates…my little 4 year old out there herding sheep…my 7 year old directing pre-schoolers in this farm chore drama…
They had to get the empty bucket from this field…
Do your kids work independently a lot? I thought this was a pretty big deal because they had to work together and I sneaked out to take pictures but I didn’t give them directions or anything once they left the house.
The sheep thought they should be getting fed and were getting a little pushy.
They don’t work this well to clean up the playroom.
I’ve been spotted!
Maybe I’m overreacting. All they had to do was move an empty bucket from one side of the yard to the other side and fill it with water. But at that age I don’t remember doing much in the way of chores at all besides cleaning up my room. Especially not undirected or unsupervised. And involving 100-200 lb animals.
That sheep standing on the gate crying for food…we call her the Queen Bee.
And I’m proud of Speedracer really sharing the load lately. I posted earlier this summer about struggling to make him help. Well, he really has been. He’s not as mature to work unsupervised as the Ladybug and the Cowboy were at his age, but he’s been being more of a team player at chore time around here. And he’s still only 3. (Although Mr. Fix-It says that’s no excuse!)
I love seeing my kiddos out there working together!
Yesterday would have been my Dad’s 53rd birthday. I can’t imagine how thrilled he would have been to see my crew out there doing their chores. Their work. I can close my eyes and see him puffing out his chest a little, see his smile and the way his eyes would glow when he told other people about it. “It was just neat to see them out there. It was just so cool to see them working on the farm.”
They tossed it over and filled it up with the hose.
{SIGH}
I really miss him this year. There’s so much I want to share with him.
So much I hate that he’s missing.
And here my camera died…but they finished their job just fine.
The best I can do is be sure that I treasure each moment for myself. Be thankful for each day. I know as well as anyone can that we’re not promised any tomorrows. That’s a lesson that has sunk down deep into my bones and permeates my every breath like the oxygen that fills our blood. In a moment it could all be gone. God’s plans are not our plans and His timing is not our timing.
And yet…sometimes I forget…sometimes I live in the flesh and not in the moment.
I’ve been spending a LOT of time being thankful on top of other things! I have the worst cold I think I have ever had in my life BUT I’m thankful to have a nose to be stuffy! I am so thankful for that ladies’ retreat!
and now i’m crying…again! this will teach me to read your blog on my lunch break!
thanks for the reminder today to be thankful!
You have a wonderful crew! I can not imagine how proud you must be! My own crew is much older and we didn’t have the younger two early in their lives but they all work around here, not always so well together though. Love the pictures and the detail in your posts!
I think there’s something so bonding about working together as well as playing together. I think sometimes that working together and accomplishing something “important” together helps them play together better too. They are all good friends as well as sibs and I love that for them.
Love these photos of them working together!! Just a few weeks ago Sophie started helping Bella; by holding hands, helping her with boots/shoes; playing better – and I was amazed. Grateful….and amazed!!
Just want to tell you that your Dad does see them. He does watch them {and you} and he’s telling everyone in Heaven to check out his grandkids. At least that’s how I think of my Dad.
Thank you friend. I know you understand.
These pictures are priceless! They bring back so many fond memories of growing up on a farm with my own siblings. There’s no better place to raise them! And when they’re older, their going to want to live on a farm too (said from personal experience!) 🙂
We hope so! I’m sure you can get equal experiences in any number of places, but not coming from a farm background, I can’t imagine somewhere better to raise your kids.
It gives me a flexibility as a parent to make mistakes or not know what I’m doing, but the very nature of the farm fills in the gap for me. Any time the kids are just too wound up, can’t focus, won’t listen, I can make them head right out and do some chores. Something meaningful and important, something that requires teamwork and perseverance, something that gets them fresh air and tired muscles at the end of the day!
I am loving you blog! I found you through the Homestead Barn Hop! These pictures are so great:) This post is so informative and I think my subscribers would really enjoy reading this. I would love for you to come share it at Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on Frugally Sustainable this Wednesday. And, I really hope that you will put Frugal Days, Sustainable Ways on your list of carnivals to visit and link to each Wednesday!
Warmly,
Andrea @ Frugally Sustainable
Here’s the link: http://www.frugallysustainable.com
interesting post. thanks a lot
Great pictures! And it’s true- my crew works perfectly together to collect eggs, water the animals, get hay, etc. But it takes f-o-r-e-v-e-r for them to clean their shared room or playroom- arguing, playing around, etc. And the skills they are learning are real and important.
Ha! Ha! What is it that makes cleaning so much “work” and work so much fun?!
A beautiful post!! I too think children NEED to work, and work cooperatively. Its important for their little souls to KNOW that they are needed, that they are a VITAL part of the family!! Awesome!
Thanks for stopping by. I love to see them when they’re in a good mood about helping. You can see how their confidence grows!