Yesterday we got about an eighth of an inch of snow that was melted by lunchtime but it is still pretty.
The children came, fell out of their van and roared off about the farmyard like… well, like town kids let out of a car. The cats and kittens were hauled around, the pigs patted, the sheep goggled at and for some extraordinary reason Daisy kept trying to lick the baby in her fathers arms. Her tongue out like a giraffes wanting a taste.
They went up on tip toes and gasped when they turned to find Kupa watching them and went down as low as they could go, their hands stretched out before them to pat the chickens who had crowded in behind him.
Much to my delight I looked over at one point to see the Big Dog had come down from his bed on the verandah and was very slowly introducing himself to all the children, starting with the youngest, sitting gently beside her and lowering his grizzly old head for a pat. He got a hug instead. So sweet.
Next time I will take Camera House too but yesterday was more about safety and control. There was a lot of learning happening in a very short space of time at a manic pace. All much more important than photographs. Later once the cold started to work its way through our clothes we came inside.
Out came all my paints and my writing journal sacrificed some of its pages. 
And beautiful artworks were produced and much admired then all the magnets on the fridge were rearranged to accommodate the display. 
Of course some were more interested in scratching through my collection of toys than the doing an art module. That’s fine too. After all it was Friday!
They also got to watch their Dad building, not many kids get to see their fathers at work so this was a lovely lesson all in itself. They are all home-schooled, beautifully mannered and afraid of nothing. When John came home from the workshop his eyebrows elevated and his eyes blinked as though the level of noise we were producing was actually smarting dust in the air.
You will remember I have five grown children of my own, so I just loved the almost controlled bedlam, the noise and chatter and bottomless questions. We sat their Mum down at the end of the table with her own paper and coloured pencils and everyone had a fine time.
Good morning. I am hoping to borrow these children from time to time. Homeschooling is very hard work for parents and there is plenty of book learning that dovetails nicely with farm learning. So maybe we can work together for a wee while. I love kids.
Today we are going over to see the junk yard man, he has some doors and mouldings and even a wooden floor that I want for the Coupe. This time I will remember to take Camera House with me.
Have a lovely day.
celi
It certainly sounds as though ALL and SUNDRY enjoyed themselves… you included…
The ultimate “field” trip! You get to play AND learn, too. Sounds like it was a ton of fun for everybody involved.
Truly. One of my favorite days of yours.
Playing, learning & coloring. Oh my. That’s the trifecta of fun.
Nice post. I love the line “… well, like town kids being let out of the car.”
Ah, what a fine time everyone must of had! Kids are amazing ‘sponges’ -home schooling is indeed very hard work especially for the Mom …I know this from experience! Lol
How awesome for the kids and for you!!! Loved the thought of them meeting all the lovelies on your farm and warming up inside!!!
Celi, I can’t think of a better addition to the Farmy than occasional children! I bet they got such pleasure from their visit and your photographs are beautiful.
oh how brave you are! I could not cope with all those children but I am so pleased that you enjoyed your day
Experiential learning sends out deeper roots than book learning most of the time. What a great opportunity for them, and for you!
Homeschooling IS hard work – but the reward at the end is just so worth it – says I that is coming to the end (2 -3 years left) The mum I know would of appreciated the field trip.
Love Leanne NZ (PS we are having amazing weather over here)
That is sweet about Big Dog. Coltrane is slower to greet guests these days too.
Love how very sensitively you took the photos Celi. I`m always so aware not to leave them vulnerable if I plan to post the photos on my blog. (Except for my own kids of course…then the best are off
) Hey, just had a thought: I have students from time to time from every country you can imagine and they give cards, send letters, write notes, send photos, and I put them into a great big sketch book for future students, and they all love the sketchbook, look thru it all the time and feel proud to be a future part of it. Maybe you can do this with your little visiting kiddies for next time. 
What a fantastic outing for those kids. It’s a real treat to go to a farm where they can run around, explore, and get up close and personal with farm animals. Sounds like the farmy’s pets & animals all cooperated and you, having raised 5 children, were the perfect hostess, even supplying art supplies when needed. Well done, Celi!
Such fun! I bet they had a blast. This was a great post.
Miss C I can just picture you and all these kiddies! How wonderful, and how wonderful for Mum to get a shot of sitting down and colouring in for a while. I hope they get to come and visit again soon.
Coming to visit, learn and be with you and your animals has got to be a dream come true for those kids, or any kid. After all, we big kids love following you around every day! And how sweet are the images in my mind of Big Dog, Daisy and the sheep enjoying the kids. Thanks for the smiles this a.m. Have a super day and hope you find some great doors!
What a wonderful day…children, outdoors, children, art. Perfect!
Can I come too? How fun… and how pretty the snow is/was (I don’t miss it though!)
That Big Old Dog would offer himself up is really touching. It is so generous of you to share your life PHYSICALLY with others. I vividly remember the experience of burying my hand in the wooly coat of a lamb at a place called Hawthorne Melody Farm– actually a dairy where they had a very small petting zoo for children. The experiences you provided those kids will last a lifetime,Celia.
My admiration for you knows no bounds. The bonus for the children of seeing animals that have happy lives and no fear is worth a lot too.
You have introduced and welcomed these children to your world, Celi. In this life one never knows what impact one has on others around you. I am certain that will be an unforgettable first day on the Farmy for them.
I love the words ‘farmy art”.
This was lovely Cinders…I have been volunteering at our local elementary school for years and never tire of the wonder of young children…especially when they are introduced to a bit of nature! You know, I was thinking when I finished reading this that perhaps all your farmy lovelies enjoyed their visitors too…seeing creatures that are alot like them in a way and something a little different in their everyday routines!
And, you never know…you may have inspired a future farmer!!
Free farm fun for everybody (except maybe John). Have a good weekend.
Lucky children – they’ll remember this for the rest of their lives!
What a wonderful time they all must have had….and for the cow to want to taste a new little kid (baby) must have been a hoot, however very slobbery!
Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
http://deltacountyhistoricalsociety.wordpress.com
Looks as though a great time was had by all. Wonderful!
What a treat for the kids–and the bedlam is fun.
I would love to go to school on your farm
Gorgeous fun! I am so glad you shared it, Celi!
Darling old Ton-Ton…
Aaah…you can take the teacher out of the school, but deep down inside, she’s always a loving teacher!
Thanks for sharing this with us. Looking forward to seeing the story and photos of your visit to the junk yard man.
how lovely !
What fun!!
Isn’t it wonderful to watch the kids? My nieces and nephews kids, as well as the grandchildren of friends love to come to ‘the farm’. The look of wonder that they’re actually holding a real live chicken is memorable. I have attached a small door with a stoop to the base of an immense maple tree in our front yard and all the kids know you have to have magic to open it because it’s where the fairies live! The dwarf goats and mini donk are fascinated by these humans that are their size and of course our two horses live for the attention.
You KNOW I love this!!!
xoxo
What a great photo with the baby and feather!
Farm learning sounds like a great addition to those childrens’ education
I bet those kids are still talking about their trip to the Farmy. So wonderful you are doing this, C.
What a fun day for the kids C! I can just imagine how much their little imaginations were buzzing. It had to be just thrilling. There’s something about getting kids out on a farm. I love watching it too.
What fun! I wonder if Daisy could smell another milky being? (I always think new babies smell of milk). I can see this working really well, full of lessons for the home-schooled kids.
Good Big Dog. Good.Funny, a little teary over what you described there. gentle souls together.
How sweet of you to give the kids hands-on farmy lessons!