Sixteen Kiddos at the Zoo

Just recently, I met up with the Four Sisters at the zoo.

1 Grammy + 4 Sisters + 16 Kiddos = 21 Happy Faces!

The Sixteen Grandkids at the Zoo

Pop likes to sing silly songs to the kids so talk about the zoo trip brought this song out of Pop at the dinner table with the farm hands...just like the four sisters, the grandkids were certain Pop was just making it up but Farm Chick and I had Pop's back on this one.

The Animal Fair (these lyrics are considered alternate but are really close to the actual words - so that no monkeys are harmed during the singing of the song).

I went to the animal fair.
All the birds and the beasts were there.
The big baboon by the light of the moon
was combing his auburn hair.
You should have seen the monk.
He sat on the elephant's trunk.
The elephant sneezed and fell on his knees,
and what became of the monk
the monk, the monk, the monk,
the monk, the monk, the monk?

At the Zoo by Simon & Garfunkel...Click on the link to listen to the song...it will make you smile.    This zoo song has been noted on our blog before by Farm Chick.

Someone told me it's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it, I do believe it's true.
It's a light and tumble journey
From the East side to the park.
Just a fine and fancy ramble to the zoo.
But you can take the cross-town bus
If it's raining or it's cold.
And the animals will love it if you do.

Something tells me it's all happening at the zoo.
I do believe it, I do believe it's true.
The monkeys stand for honesty.
Giraffes are insincere.
The elephants are kindly but they're dumb.
Orangutans are skeptical of changes in their cages
And the zookeeper is very fond of rum.
Zebras are reactionaries,
Antelopes are missionaries.
Pigeons plot in secrecy
And hamsters turn on frequently.
What a gas you got to come and see
At the zoo.

Grandkids' Hill

There is a hill at Four Sisters Farm.  It was created a couple of years ago when the pond was dug out.  The hill is perfect for the many adventures of the Four Sisters Farm grandchildren.

 

Last winter, we hoped and prayed for enough snow to sled down the hill.  No such luck.  The truth is some of us (3 to be exact) were pregnant so we couldn't have enjoyed the sledding anyway.

 

This winter it looked like Grandkids' Hill would stay dry.

 

Then out of nowhere the "Blizzard of Oz" occurred here in Kansas.

 

Hallelujah!!!

 

Pop cleared the way to the hill with his tractor and then he put out this challenge e-mail:

 

"Tell the Grandkids that Pop is the reigning sled distance champ down Grandkids' Hill"

"The mark to beat"

 

Of course, we couldn't resist. 

We made our way to Four Sisters Farm as soon as we could. 

We brought EJ's folks along for the adventure.

 

 

EJ was the first to challenge the record. 

He blew past Pop's mark and it looked like he might be the winner.



 

Then we sent the cowboys down one by one.

 

First up B

 

Then W

 

Then Q

 

Next it was Papa's turn

 

Then Grandma

 

And then I made my way up the hill. 

That's right children, let Momma show you how it's done.

 

One graceful trip down the hill and victory was mine!

 

Eat my dust fellas!!!

 

EJ couldn't accept defeat. 

He had to take another run at the hill. 

But the Man came up short.

 

Did I bask in my glory?

 

No.

 

I began training up the next generation of female sledding champions.

 

Lil' Ruthie rode that sled like a pro!

 

Greatness is in her blood.

Buyer's Remorse

Over the holiday, I went to the local variety store of my hometown with my mom, sister, and sis-in-law.  Our mission was to pick out fabric for a quilt for Mom to make my sis-in-law; but of course, we had to look at other things as well and we stumbled onto this wall hanging and thought it was cute and clever and would work perfectly in the future Four Sisters Farm kitchen...I was a bit smitten and I purchased it (along with a "God Bless Cowboys" plaque that will someday hang in the bunk room).

I decided to place it in Pop's Christmas stocking hanging at the mantle of my folk's house as sort of a silly joke.  Well...the way things worked out, Pop and I didn't get to stay long enough for the festivities of the evening as we had to make the several hour drive back home that night.  So I loaded up the contents of our stockings into a bag and we headed on home.  As we drove and I pondered the time we had just spent with family, I also pondered the sign and realized that I just couldn't do it...Pop DOES rule the roost but not in a bad way and I definitely do NOT rule the rooster at Four Sisters Farm.  It would be like advertising a lie if I hung up this cutesy little sign in our home.

Some folks would think it is just a joke...no big deal...but I believe otherwise.  Scripture says, "Like a maniac shooting flaming arrows of death is one who deceives their neighbor and says, 'I was only joking!'" (Proverbs 26:18-19).  One of the things I told the four sisters as they were growing up is that joking always has roots in what a person really believes.  I have found this to be true over and over.  Sarcasm (sometimes we call it joking) is rampant in our lives these days.  We hear it all around us...we see it on television in sitcoms and we refer to someone as "witty" when they have mastered the art of hurting someone in a way that makes others laugh.

I looked up the definition of sarcasm and it means "a sharply ironical taunt; sneering or cutting remark" so I also looked up irony which means "the use of words to convey a meaning that is opposite of its literal meaning".  Hmmm...so if we say things that mean the opposite, isn't that the same as lying?  I think so.

I will pass on cute and clever and tell you what I really believe about Pop...he is THE man here at Four Sisters Farm.  He takes his responsibilities to care for me and our family very seriously.  I very happily accept my place under his leadership knowing that he has my best interest at heart.  He understands that his role as a leader brings responsibility and accountability with God and his desire is please God.  I know he isn't perfect and I know he will make mistakes (me too); even so, I choose to follow him.

Maybe I can find a cute, clever sign with a rooster that says something like, "He rules the roost, and I love the rooster!"  That would be closer to the truth.  There is plenty to laugh about at Four Sisters Farm without making fun of anyone.  It is a safe place to be.  It's one of the things I love about Four Sisters Farm.

Ride 'em cowboys (and cowgirls)

Meet the newest additions to Four Sisters Farm. 

These buckin' broncos are in for years of

big grins and belly laughs.

Muddin'

Take an Adventurous Pop and a Willing to try it Grammy...

add a recent rainstorm...plus a go kart and it turns into...

a very muddy pair, ruts in the barnyard (not big ones), and a serious cleanup needed!

Thanks, Pop! It was fun!