Most people know I was raised on a dairy farm. I have many wonderful memories of working alongside my dad, mom, brothers, sisters, and grandparents as we did all that goes into living on a farm. One thing that I remember well is bottle feeding new calves. I can still smell the sweet smell of the milk, feel the warmth of the bottle in my hands, and smile when I think of letting the calves suck on my fingers. As I've said many times, one reason that Rick and I were eager to move back to Utah was to allow our children to have many of those same experiences. My dad recently lost a mother cow who had just had a calf. This calf now needs fed twice a day from a bottle. With a quarter acre fenced off, a shed for protection, and three strong boys, our home was the best place for this calf to come. It's quite a responsibility to take care of a calf, but that is what I love most about life on the farm... learning how to work and be responsible. The boys have really taken well to this new responsibility, even being irritated with me for mixing the milk for them when they KNOW how to do it. Thanks to my mom for the wonderful pictures of the boys learning to feed the calf. To see more pictures of this day, and hear her version of the story click here.
Elijah and Evan watch as Luke goes to try his hand at feeding.
Noah pays close attention as he waits for his turn.
As the oldest grandson, I'm sure this is the first of MANY learning opportunities on the farm.
Noah holds the chin just right to help the little calf drink.
"Awesome!"
This expression is permanent on Elijah's face. He's the happiest kid I know!
3 comments:
I wish my kids had more of this kind of life. What a fun childhood!!
Those pics really are so great of the kids! I'm glad your boys are taking care of that baby. He needs some good adoptive parents!
I, too, am glad that our kids will grow up with the simple life and learn how to WORK! I loved the work project we did today. Although I'm rather shocked at the inflation of the pay :) I'm also disappointed that my child did NOT want to work. Since after filling one bucket with rocks he refused to put another single rock in the bucket and instead just threw it back at me. Maybe...maybe....when he realized what money is he will be willing to work a little harder and a little longer!
I was just thinking today that I hope Dad is still going strong with farming in 10 more years, because he will have the best farm hands around every summer. :)
I was positive I had commented on this post because I was so sad that Jack wasn't there to help! Maybe there's a conspiracy......
I LOVE the life we have here and the opportunities and wonderful experiences it gives the kids. Its EXACTLY why we moved back!
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