Happy Father's Day!

Erin was scheduled to participate in a bike race this weekend, but it was postponed on Thursday because of a forest fire. We decided on Thursday night to head out on Friday for an impromptu camping trip.

We had a wonderful time hiking, exploring, fishing, and relaxing with Papa!
We love you, Papa! Happy Father's Day!

More Camping Fun

Katie, above, and Meg love s'mores.
Meg prefers to deconstruct her s'more and eat it.

Teddy Bear Picnic

One of Meg and Katie's favorite June activities is the annual Teddy Bear Picnic.
This year they wanted to make cookies to take along.

We started the day with teddy bear pancakes.

They had a great time and were thrilled to hug the host.
(Something they've been fearful to do the past 3 years.)

Ladybug, Ladybug...

fly away home! Every year in June we buy ladybugs at the nursery to release in our garden. The girls had fun holding them and observing them ~ with gloved hands, of course.

Adding to the Flock

Dilemma: We were down to 3 chickens, and we still can't be sure they are all female yet. Fact: Chickens are social and much happier around other chickens.

Solution: We bought 3 more chicks! We added another Buff Orpington and 2 Silver Laced Wyandottes. I'm already fairly certain that one of the Wyandottes is male and one is female, but I'm not sure about the other chick. We're hopeful that we'll end up with 4 hens, and we'll rehome any roosters. Let me know if you'd like a rooster raised on organic feed. :)

They sure are cute!

Butterflies

Katie, below in purple, and Meg received a Butterfly Garden for their 5th birthday. They marveled at how quickly the tiny caterpillars grew, formed chrysalids, and emerged as beautiful butterflies. We released them today and watched them fly away.