Over 48 hrs and still chirping!

Day 3 for our chicks.  28 going strong.  We (and I mean, Farmer J) are still helping 2-3 chicks with their "sticky butt" but all appear healthy and happy.  I give morale support.  Our youngest even wants to help ("I check their no poop?!")  We assure him that Dada can handle the job all by himself.  The chicks are still divided in two boxes, 14 per box.  They are much bigger than when they first arrived.  Most, to all, now have their flight feathers and a few (mainly the bigger meat bird breeds) are flapping their wings and taking flight (which is more like a slight hop).  Chicks are very messy.  They are always pecking away and flicking wood chips into their food and water dish.  And they poop everywhere.  Thank goodness for wood chips. These chicks get lots of love- many kisses and enduring words 

Today was fun because my parents came for a visit. J worked hard (with the help of my dad and "helper" children) today building the nesting boxes.  My parents, my children and I also went on "a nature walk" (i.e., walking the path through the woods on the property.) On an earlier nature walk with my dad, JJ found a very old deer skull near the grass by one of the farm's back gardens.  Another farmwife/mama observation: never be surprised what your children will bring in from outside to show you (i.e., deer skull).  I stayed busy with unpacking/organizing the mud room.  JJ and pickle have 6 pairs of mud boots between the two of them.  Plenty for visiting friends and family!  My mom helped out by mending this last season's hats, mittens and pants.  All ready for next winter :) My parents also treated us to a lunch out.  We went to a very fun restaurant downtown.  Our first sit down restaurant dining experience since we moved here.  The place was very charming and had a healthy children's menu.  And an amazing veggie burger! We will definitely go back.  On the way home we hit our first garage sale of the season.  My big score- an old rocking chair for our front porch.  Only $10 dollars!!!! Thank goodness for the mini van for those last minute rocking chair buying situations! 

Tomorrow will be our first day on the farm without any anticipated visitors.  Another farmwife observation: When you live in the country, expect many "stop ins" by random people (i.e., people interested in hunting on the farm, people interesting in conservation of the land, people interested in saying "hi" or welcoming you to the area.) 

Cold tonight- Farmer J bringing most of the plants in for a sleepover! 

God speed-sweet dreams!