More Random Ramblings: This one's long, so pull up a comfy chair and grab yourself a good cup of coffee! :)

We got home last night from an overnight trip to Duluth. We had a nice time just being together, and getting a little break from "life as usual". Dan was feeling the need to get away from all the responsibility staring him in the face, so it was great timing.
The main reason for going on the trip was to get Molly's braces off. Her teeth look really nice, and she gets about a weeks break before she goes into full time retainer wearing.

Before...

After!

We celebrated Sam's 10th birthday while in Duluth. We spent the night at The Best Western Edgewater. I think it's safe to say that everyone enjoyed their time at the water park! I tried to get some pictures of that, but the lighting was terrible and I couldn't get any good ones. Dani and I enjoyed the lazy river the most, I think. Dani liked watching the huge bucket tip and spill 500 gallons of water on everyone, but she was a bit scared to play near it, so that ruled out the kiddie area for her. Hattie LOVED that bucket, and its dumping water! She wanted to be right under it when it dumped, and loved the kiddie slides. She also went down the big slide on a double tube with Dan. They also loved crossing the pool on the turtles. :) That was so fun to watch! I saw Sam for about .3 seconds when we got there, and .3 seconds before we left. He never stopped going down the big slides the whole rest of the time! Molly was pretty much enjoying everything available that she could. She's been having some trouble with some pain in her foot related to a ligament that's too short (possibly from fast growth). She has to rest it more than she'd like, but she still had tons of fun.
We had purchased a birthday cake to eat at the hotel, but Sam got the worst migraine he's had yet, and spent some time resting in the quiet dark room (achieved by Dan taking the rest of the kids on an explore around the hotel and some time in the arcade). By the time he felt better, it was 10:30, and much too late for eating cake. :( The next morning Dan took Sam to the arcade to see what he'd missed (not much in my opinion). He wasn't ready to leave the arcade as soon as the rest of the family, so Dan let him stay there for a while by himself. He was taking a long time to come back, so Dan went looking for him. He'd been lost for about 10 minutes, and fell into Dan's arms when they found each other. He was crying when they got back to the room, and it about broke my heart to see him so upset! I guess he's not ready to fly solo yet. That's fine with me! :)
Our other reason for going to Duluth/Cloquet was to do some "farm" type shopping at L&M Fleet and Dan's Feed Bin. Got 200 feet of fencing for the chickens and future goats, and cage wire to build 5 rabbit cages for the meat bunnies we're soon to have. That was a lot of fun, and also a LOT of expensive! Fencing and wire cost SO much! I got a goat raising book, and am learning a TON! This time, I'm determined NOT to let all that information overload deter me from getting dairy goats. I'm looking at Dwarf Nigerians. I think they'll be a great starter goat for me. I'm looking forward to milking and making kefir, cheese, yogurt and such yummy things! Mmmm...
I'm really enjoying this great weather. The robins are again gracing our yard with their song, and it's so peaceful and relaxing to sit out near the chicken yard and enjoy their company. I enjoy spending that special time with God, and Molly seems to appreciate it at least as much as I do. She's frequently found keeping me company. :) It's also a great place to gather for reading aloud to the kid-o's. We're working on Robin Hood (as preparation for our next history unit) and Swiss Family Robinson (just for fun).

Two of our favorite hens, Puffy and Butterscotch

Sinbad, our new Bantam rooster

Raven on her nest. I think she's just laying her egg, but she's showing some signs of becoming broody.

I guess it's time to think about what type of gardening I am (or am not) going to do this year. I know that I want to put in at least one raised bed this year. I will possibly be filling it with compost this year, and letting it finish composting so it will be ready this fall or in the spring. I'd like to experiment with a cold frame for planting some late fall lettuce and spinach in as well. It would be so nice to extend that fresh vegetable season a bit longer, and begin it sooner in the spring! We also want to figure out how to grow some tomatoes up here. I mean, how to grow some tomatoes that will ripen. Gardening is simply NOT my forte!

Ok, now that I've put you all to sleep with my rambling, I'll go and get some work done...after I get another cup of coffee. :)