Perkins County Summer: Fishing

When Jack's good friend Dan called to see if he could take the boys fishing, we made it happen. Dan and his sister Anna are great to introduce the boys to all sorts of fun. We had a near perfect day to fish and Anna, being an amazing science teacher, is always great at explaining all the processes and reasons to Gage - spot on.

 

They were even good sports about baiting hooks for the boys. ;)

Gage's first catch! He was thrilled!

We didn't catch anything big enough to keep and take home to eat, but we caught a lot. Gage reeled in probably close to 20 fish on his line alone. They were all about this size. The water was even clear enough that we could see into the water and watch them bite the line. It was great!

Dan got the boys fishing poles. At the 4th of July Block Party, Anna lined up weights and play fish to put in the yard and let the boys practice casting.

 

 

Max found a comfy place to land.

 

 

A fun afternoon skipping naps and catching fish instead - thanks Blocks!

Perkins County Summer: Trailing

We have stayed on our toes all summer with various activities in and around Perkins County. Without planning so much as a weekend getaway with the kiddos, we founds plenty of fun close to home. Stay tuned as I attempt to post a series of summer updates, along with some news from the first few weeks of school!

In April we bought ponies for the boys and they've been a great project. We started with leading the boys around the yard and two months later they were (mostly) ready to trail cattle. Most of these pictures are from early June when Gage was still learning the little black pony's (Sally's) language. Once they got on the same page they have had a blast. Jack actually rides the second pony (Trigger), who is much younger and needs a lot more training to be ready to lead a kid around.

He's really excited at the mention of riding, and even more so when it entails trailing.

 

 Headed out to round up Grandpa's girls! Participating on this trail ride was Gage with Sally, Uncle Rick with Jake, Grandpa Chuck with Rusty, Jack with Trigger and Max with Grandma Koreen and Dusty.

Coming back to the starting point to turn a corner toward a new pasture. Grandpa Chuck uses a grazing systems that involves smaller pastures with numerous cross fences. This means cattle need to be moved frequently to control the length of grazing per pasture. We were able to get in on quite of few of the trails. (Some can be taken care of with the pickup, others are a bit more labor intensive.

Gage on Sally. This was her first trail (as far as we know). They've made so much progress since this point even. A bit that works better, reins that work better for Gage and motivation to move in the form of a little whip he can tap her with. As his comfort level and confidence has risen, her performance has also increased. It has been so much fun to watch.

Sally needed a little help rejoining the rest of the group. We've also learned that at some point in her life, she was probably foundered. No green grass for this little lady.

 

 Grandma and Max get along really well on Dusty. Trigger isn't ready for a 2nd passenger, and even when I ride its safest for Max to be with Grandma. I'm still learning too!

 

 There's a lot to be learned on the back of a horse.



Hiya cuties. Thanks for letting us spend part of our summer with you.

This was a ride from later in the summer and a pic taken on my phone. At one point in this ride, Max had gotten down to ride in the pickup with Great Grandpa Jim and Great Grandma Nora. He insisted it was time to ride horse again...5 minutes before he fell asleep. I guess its a rite of passage.

The girls, headed home.

Come back tomorrow to hear about fishing!

20 Questions Would be a Vacation

Something has changed.

Since Gage finished up with preschool a few weeks ago, something has definitely changed. I am beginning to think normal, everyday life in the lap of luxury playing whatever he wants at daycare does not stimulate his brain. Or perhaps he yearns for structure like the program he participated in four days a week for nine months. But in the last three weeks, I have answered no fewer than 12,000 questions.

I try.
I try really hard not to discourage the conversation because Lord knows that soon enough, he will want nothing to do with me.
I try to encourage him to think for himself, answer what questions he can using common sense.
I try to allow him the freedom to choose for himself whenever possible.

Somehow, we have been derailed and demoted to simple questions that fly out of his mouth faster than my brain can process.

Here's a sample from this morning:

When are Grandma and Grandpa coming?
How many days are they staying?
When are they leaving?
How many days do I get to be with them?
Are you coming to pick me up?
What should I wear at Grandma and Grandpa's house?
Can I take books?
Can I take sweatpants?
Will they know what to feed me?
What can I wear today?
What's for breakfast?
How much do I have to eat?
Do I need a jacket?
Does Max need a jacket?
Where are my socks?
Can I sit at the counter?
Is Max going outside?
Are you going to put Wrangler away?
Who is going to be at daycare today?
Are you listening to me?
Why did you change your shirt?
Why did you close the door?
Can I wear this shirt?

It. Never. Ends.

And I have no idea where he gets it from - this incessant need to talk all the time. I have tried asking Jack 100 times, in 100 different ways, but I am not sure he is listening.

:)

Ten on Tuesday. Just Kim. Volume 3.

Ten on Tuesday – Topics and Archives
Questions for Tuesday, April 5, 2011.

1. What is your ideal date?
Dinner, movie, going for a walk. Having a stomach big enough to eat a good supper and big bag of popcorn combined with enough energy to not fall asleep until we get home. I know, I'm asking a lot.

2. How long does it take you to get ready to go on a date?
It takes longer to brief the babysitter and find my phone. I might take an extra 2 minutes to make sure there isn't any foreign material in my hair.

3. What would you wear on the date?
Jeans, and 2 or 3 shirts to make sure I'm warm in the movie theater. If I'm really feeling fancy, I'll try wearing a necklace or scarf.

4. If you are married, how often do you go on dates?
Not nearly often enough. We probably go out without our kids 4 or 5 times a year and usually its because there's a banquet or event that they shouldn't attend. Can you call that a date? We try to sit down and watch a little TV together a few times a week, and we eat supper together almost every day. We also spend lots of quality time together M-F 9-5:30.

5. What was your worst date?
Nothing really stands out as horrible. Prom as a sophomore taking my freshman boyfriend was terribly awkward, but we were so un-matured that I'll chalk it up to inexperience. He's a great guy and we were much better suited as friends after we dated.

6. Do you/Did you kiss on your first date?
I can't even remember - how's that for an answer? Ha! Here's the deal. Jack and I met while running for a State FFA Office and at the end of the three days, were both selected as officers which meant we weren't technically supposed to date. Long story short, it didn't happen that way and ended up on lots of "group dates" the first year, at least when we were off campus. So I honestly think his sister came with us on what would have probably been our first date. Its kind of comical now. Then, not so much.

7. If married, how long before you knew he/she was the one?
About three days.

8. Do you prefer day dates or night dates?
If I can swing a day date, I am all over it. Especially if I can make it last 2 meals and still get to bed early enough to not be tired in the morning. Sleep is a precious commodity around here.

9. How old were you when you first were allowed to date?
Whatever the number, it was too young. I'm so thankful that I don't have girls. How nerve wracking! I think I went on my first date when I was a freshman in high school. Anybody care to dispute that? Ha!

10. What is the most embarrassing moment you have had on a date?
I may or may not have fallen asleep during a James Bond movie once. A long time ago. Way before my excuse for falling asleep was, "I haven't had a good night's sleep since April 4th, 2007."