A Little Girl and Her Horse

Saying Goodbye.



It was a sad day on our little farm. Our horse Strawberry has left us for a better home where she'll have lots of room to run around and people who have time to ride and play with her.

Liar Liar Pants on Fire

My little Ellie has discovered that she doesn't always have to tell the truth......

She can lie.

Fortunately she's not very good at it yet,(more on that later) and I must say I'm not really surprised at this phase, having the Mom she does. When I was young I would lie for the pure thrill of it. I wouldn't usually lie about important things, just little things, just to see if I could get away with it. I just felt so cleaver telling my teacher my favorite color was red, when really I hated red and loved blue. Unfortunately, I hardly ever got caught, but I grew out of it all the same.
Now I'm honest to a fault, and I find that fun in it's own way. ;)
Ellie is still struggling with the fine mechanics of lying.

After spending less than 2 minutes straightening up her room Ellie comes downstairs...

(Mom suspious) "Ellie, did you straighten up your room?"
(Ellie smiling)"Yes, Mom."
(Mom) "Did you pick up ALL your toys and books and make your bed?"
(Ellie looking uncomfortable) "Yes, Mom."
(Mom) "Thanks honey, you're a big help."
(Ellie, cupping her hand over her mouth) "Pssss.... Mom,"
(Mom) "What?"
(Ellie squirming) "Don't look behind my door."
(Mom, trying not to smile) "Why not?"
(Ellie still whispering) "Because I stuffed all my books and toys behind it so you wouldn't see them."
(Mom whispering back) "Okay honey, I won't look this time"

Earlier in the week...
Ellie comes upstairs with her mouth bulging with the last of Mom's forbidden but much coveted cashews.

(Mom) "Ellie, what were you doing downstairs?"
(Ellie(somewhat garbled due to the cashews)) "Umm... nothing."
(Mom) "Ellie, did you get into mommy's cashews?"
(Ellie) "No"
(Mom) "What's in your mouth ..Mmmm?"
(Ellie turning around, facing the wall and chewing furiously) "Ah ..just a second."
(More than a minute later Ellie turns back around and opens her mouth for me to see) "See Mom, Nothing!"

The Blessing of James

5/3/2009

Sunday was James' Blessing Day. Both of our parents and Anthon came up for the special occasion. We wanted to invite the whole family, but our house is just too small to hold everyone, and it was supposed to be bad weather outside. James was very good the whole day, unfortunately he soiled his clothes right before he was blessed, so I don't have any pictures of him in his fancy duds with the relatives. After church we had dinner and a nice visit with everyone. Barry made a roast, and we had funeral potatoes, rolls, salad, and corn. After, we had cherry cheesecake Mmmm.

We feel so lucky to have James, he is a blessing in our lives everyday day.


Half of James' hair is long and half of it is short, the long half stands straight up.



Ellie holding James after dinner.


Grandpa with James



James and his Daddy on his blessing day 5/3/2009

Clear as Day

Yesterday, we were sitting down at dinner. James was in his swing next to the table. We were in the middle of eating when James clear as day says "Daddy." I gasped, and said "Barry did you hear that?" Barry trying to act nonchalant kept on eating, but was unable to contain a huge smile and said "Yep, he said Daddy."
7 weeks old is a remarkable age to say Daddy. James isn't much of a coo-er or babbler so it's crazy to hear him say something. Fortunately I would be quite jealous if he hadn't popped out with "Mom" at 3 weeks. ;) I admit, Mom is only one syllable and it wasn't quite as clear, and there were no other witnesses, but hey I was first.

Mishievous Smile

I have as yet been unable to capture James' mischievous smile. James has the cutest smile, but it's quite elusive. It lights up his whole face and makes up for every long night and hard day.
I most often see it right before he eats, when he knows his hungry tummy is going to be filled.
In the tub, James loves his baths. he just sprawls out in the tub and completely relaxes.
The middle of the night, when James knows he has mommy's complete attention.




Instead, I often get looks like this.
James: "Mmmm what I can I make mom do for a little smile"

Princess Ellie cont. 2

More Princess Ellie

Princess Ellie cont.

Princess Ellie cont.

Princess Ellie

Presenting....... Princess Ellie!

Okay, so we had a photo shoot.
I know we got a little carried away, but Ellie was having a blast, and Ellie truly is the sweetest most beautiful girl. We are truly blessed to have her in our little family. Thanks to grandma we have a collection of princess dresses for her to play in. Thanks grandma.


Almost fits, maybe 1 more year.
(Below)Some material Jeana got Ellie to play with. She loves it!

New Arrivals

Okay, this week we have a few new arrivals at the Pate Place. No! Not the baby, that was last month. In order of importance...

#3 Yes! you're right it's a baby goose.(Psss.. I won't tell you thought it was a duck) Four baby geese have joined the Pate Farm, and yes that's my kitchen. The geese are for deweeding the orchard. Note: Geese are all dark meat Mmmmm.

#2 We have grass!! ..and weeds.... and grass!!! I'm am very excited about having a lawn. It's amazing the things you can take for granted, like sitting on your front lawn.


#1 And finally the best of all ...my closet door handles. Oh, you think, what's the big deal? Take yours off and go without them for 6 months. I'd have to reach under the bottom of the door to open them and when your pregnant and your center of gravity is off this is quite amusing ..or something like that. Thanks Barry, it's better than flowers

Ellie and the Goats

Ellie and the Goats... It sounds like a nursery rhyme. This spring we were happy to have three brand new baby "girl"(lucky us, ...and lucky them) goats. Due to my previous whalish condition I did not venture out to see them, but Ellie and I were encouraged to pick names for them. We choose Cinnamon, and Sugar due to their brown and white coats, and Ugly Betty(pictured above) due to her apparent blatant ugliness. After a few weeks, I did venture out to meet the new kids, and I honestly was unable to tell the ugly one apart from the other two. Yet, (like life) once you're an Ugly Betty, and Ugly Betty you remain.

Ellie loves to feed and play with the goats She goes out in the pasture and they follow her everywhere. It's funny she carries around a stick when she does it.. ... so she looks like a little goat herder. The goats love to show off for us and display amazing feats of gymnastics in order to impress us. I see the goats' pasture as an over sized playpen. Thanks to the wonderful invention of electricity.. Ellie is not getting out on her own, and nothing gets in.

Barry is milking the two mother goats, and we are enjoying creamy fresh goat's milk every day.