The Farm

Dear Sweet Rowan,

You have enjoyed animals since you sprouted an opinion but on our most recent trip to Texas you just fell deeper in love. We came home to frequent requests from you to "see Pops' cows 'gain" and "drive tractor 'gain." And although we wish we were closer to Fredericksburg so we could pack you up and take you there, the fact is, it's 12 hours away. So instead we talk about all things farm daily and you pretend with your Schleich animals and John Deere tractors that you are there. You call, "Bessie, Maaaaeeee" and in your mind these mammals come out of the brush to find you.



And once you get them to the barn and feed them, this particular cow, Honey, lets you pet her. She's "sawf and has horns."



And in your imaginary world, you also pet the "white one," but in reality she won't let you near her. However, you really like this "white one." So much that you've had me and your dad running all over town trying to find one for your barn that looks like her.



You claim that this "black one get you." This isn't true but maybe we've told you she might.



And this little guy, I think it's a bull, is my new hero because we talk about how his Momma puts him to sleep, which is a complete fabrication of mine. You bought it. She and her baby lay on the ground and they look at the stars and talk about their day and then the Momma cow rubs her baby's back as he drifts off to sleep. You agreed that you could go to sleep like the baby cow without "nee, nee" and we haven't looked back. I hope I never see you on my plate little bull, I'm putting in a good word for you right now.



You also love these little birds, while talk and imaginative play with them usually involves a cat chasing them up the ladder into the barn. You can thank your dad for that. We are allowed to have 4 hens in the city limits here and we are debating getting some to bring a little bit of the farm to you. And to feed our own egg habit.



When we are at Moms and Pops house, you wake up, let us have sip of coffee and then ask to "go see cows." Someone always obliges and off you go, usually with your cousin Mara. I think she's showing you how to "moooo" in this picture.



And then she somehow convinces you to get in the doll stroller so she can push you around. Or maybe it was your idea, who knows.



And I know you looked at these flowers at least twice you were there this spring and this summer you will eat their most delicious fruit. The Peach! The juice will run down your shirt (and stain) and you will pick any within your reach, consuming more peaches in one day than any toddler should.



You're only 2 and I know each time you visit Moms and Pops you are going to enjoy yourself more and more. Maybe they can even get some tractor work out of you someday. There are still so many memories to be made on "the farm" but I didn't want us to forget these. Farm on, little man, farm on.

Love-
Mom

Big Bike

Rowan outgrew his tricycle recently and has graduated to his "big bike." It only took him a few times to build up the courage to ride that 12 incher in the cul-de-sac with our neighbor's son. And I'm not biased or anything, but my two year old can hold his own with the 3 year old. We're still working on braking but he's steering and pedaling on his own. Yesterday he rode to the park and back with a few pushes from me on the "big hills." He also took a 4 hour nap, bike ride or the flu? Not sure.





And this my friends is what you call a silent video. The silence is far superior to Esten and our neighbor's father talk about their new cameras. Trust me.

Farewell to Winter

This winter was particularly brutal to most of the country including us. I lived in New York for one winter and Fayetteville's winter has been rather comparable temperature wise but with more snow than I ever saw fall on Long Island. We had the most snow fall here in Fayetteville since 1918 and we were measuring it in feet, rather than the usual inches. It was fun to watch it fall and play in for a few days, but the cold air just kept blasting through with our lowest, low reaching -15 F. After living in Mexico last year where our daily weather forecast was ~75/45 with a 90% chance of sunshine, we are all ready for spring, including the dogs. They have had few chances to soak up the sun here. These are some photos from our historic snow of February 2011.










Walking in snow is hard, especially when you're two.