Welcome Comfort Farm

Happy Chore Kids.

Well, mostly happy. Derek got in the way of the hose and is a bit disgruntled over being wet. Naturally Michael and Caylie think this is hilarious. Ah, to be a kid again. We had a busy morning, so Caylie came down to help. It is one of those perfect weather days where you just wish all summer days could be so great. The summer weather has been pretty good here, actually, and the garden produce (and weeds!) are growing by leaps and bounds.
Michael picked a carrot for the bunnies to share. These are quite yummy, so I don't share many with the critters!

Derek wanted me to include this picture of him yesterday with a rubber Python. What is it with boys and reptiles??

Holy Leopard Gecko, Batman!

We stopped in to the Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary in Athens, MI this afternoon and visited their gift shop. On display were several turtles, a multitude of frogs, a python, bearded lizzard and this Leopard Gecko. The owner, David Critchlow, was on hand to show Derek this little guy up close and personal!

We will go back with Michael and visit the actual Sanctuary and see the alligators too. If you are in the neighborhood and have some reptile inclinations, be sure and stop in for a visit! Called "Critchlow Alligator Sanctuary & Zoological Gardens", they are located at 1698 M-66, Athens, MI 49011. (269) 729-4802. More information can be found at www.alligatorsanctuary.com.

Did someone say Smores?

We spent last weekend at Pokagon in our little 1968 Yellowstone. Untouched since it's manufacture, it isn't much to look at but we love it none the less. Having suited our purpose for a few years now, we have made great memories already as we easily pull up and into any spot we can find.

The boys like to camp too and I'm glad, as these kids were raised on tv and video games and could barely function if I told them to find something to do that didn't involve electricity. The husband and I watched them ride bikes for hours on end, meet new friends, swim and play in the nearby lake, roast hot dogs, assemble Smores and make shadow puppets from flashlight,

We had a woodchuck walk through the camp site mid day and a raccoon later that night, fearing not as they scarfed a few dropped tidbits of jello and strawberries. Making for great imaginations pondering wildlife and what else could come into camp and eat us, the boys got a chuckle over a tiny mouse later trying to eat some cinnamon rolls on the camper table. For the husband and I, escaping the phone, sleeping in and putting our feet up is welcome R & R and we plan to do it again soon!

If you noticed the hospital wristband on Michael, it's because just 12 hours earlier we were in the ER as he overdid some lifting and swimming, pulling a muscle in his chest wall, causing severe pain. Michael has a congenital heart defect, so chest pain for him is truly a cause for alarm. Luckily it was easily treated and he was good as new very quickly. Regardless, Michael will eventually need open heart surgery to replace a synthetic artery placed when he was just 6 months old.

As we were waiting in the hospital, Jennifer also fronted up in the ER with a lacerated knuckle. She had her hand in a glass washing it and the glass broke. She received 5 stitches and we had a bit of a family reunion in the ER, making for another exciting weekend in the Claar household. We can't wait to see what this weekend will bring!

Seaworthy Sailboats.

Having just celebrated Joel's mom's 83rd birthday with homemade lasagna and strawberry shortcake, we headed outside to enjoy the lakeside view. The boys had their fishing poles with them and caught a couple of bluegills before starting to poke around in the weeds and finding things to throw in the water.

With nothing more than driftwood and a newspaper sail, the husband taught the boys the finer art of sailboat making. Before the evening was over, an entire fleet made it's way into the sunset. The great thing about having kids is rediscovering the kid in yourself! I find myself still wondering about the fate of those driftwood vessels. Hopefully they brought a smile to a passing seafaring soul, out for an evening cruise on the lake. 

 

Ka-Boom.

Despite the rain, there was no driving by this weapon of mass destruction. Parked in front of a VFW along the route home from Ferris, the boys were completely ecstatic that not only could they stop and see it, but climb on it as well. Enamored with all manner of weaponry, all things camouflage, and battles of any kind, this was too much for them to resist. When their behavior gets out of hand and I entertain thoughts of how military school for these two wonder children probably wouldn't be such a bad idea, I find myself thinking, "Watch what you wish for!"

Kristy Graduates!

Kristy graduated with honors on Saturday from Ferris State University. Summa Cum Laude. She has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Criminal Justice with a minor in Communication. We are so very proud of her! She is going on to pursue a Doctorate at Western this fall. I will be happy to have her closer to home. I know I am their mom, but my kids are THE greatest!

We took the boys along and I am hoping that college life rubs off on them!

Canine companions!

Sit down around here and in the shake of a puppy's tail, you have a dog on you. Used as human pillows on a daily basis, we do love our dogs. Our household has 4 inside and 2 outside and we couldn't imagine life without them. Their personalities are unique and as individual as children. With all being rescues from abandonment and abuse, it is surprising how they are still so willing to give their companionship and loyalties to you. Three of our four inside the house have physical deformities and while they were rejected by others, it just makes them all the more special to us. Despite their differences, they don't let it slow them down or keep them from enjoying life around them.

"Bonnie's Crazy Cabbage!"

"Bonnie Plants" has a cabbage seed called 'O-S CROSS', with the O-S standing for OVERSIZED! This cabbage plant can grow to 40 pounds or more. Planted in it's recommended 4' diameter space, Derek will water, feed, fertilize and de-bug this soon to be giant specimen. He started the seed at school as a science project and we are entered into a contest to see who can grow the biggest cabbage in the state of Michigan. With a winner picked from every state, Bonnie Seeds will award a $1000.00 scholarship to the lucky winning contestants. With a maturing timetable of 10 to 12 weeks, we'll keep you posted on it's progress!

Score!

With Patricia home for a minute from tour, we met up at the Skate Ranch with family and friends to further celebrate Michael's birthday. Jennifer spotted the "Hello Kitty" and immediately started asking where we got it. Lo and behold, who won the first game of chance? The skate rink also threw in a free skate pass. See Jen smile.
 
Caylie and Derek, along with all the other little people, fearlessly skated and fell without so much as a second thought. Like rubber,  they'd bounce back up after a fall like it's a natural reflex.  Somewhere as I merged into adulthood, I lost that reflex, and with it the fear then that needing it was someplace I did not want to be. Having not been on skates for well over a year now, I had a shaky start. Being much heavier and farther from the ground than the kids around me, I proceeded cautiously. After an hour and what felt like shin splints coming on, we ate pizza and cake and called it a day! Jennifer is telling me we need to do this more often.  Naturally the  kids agree. Oh my.

What party is complete without Silly String? Caylie took the brunt of the silliness!

Puppy love. Or dog germs...Your call.

Jennifer made me delete the picture where Ruby had her tongue on her mouth. (My personal favorite.) Ruby seems to think puppy kisses can only be given on the lips. With lightning speed and before you can react, she jumps in your lap, crawls up to your chin and lays a big wet one on you. Then a few more.

I have gone to calling her "Ruby-Tube". She just looks like a tube. Her attitude is so bad though, I change her name to "Ruby-TUDE" quite often. For bad attiTUDE. She can't weigh more then 8 pounds and you need armored gloves to move her at times. Can't disturb her at night. Can't disturb her at all, for that matter. Everything has to be HER idea. But we love her. Crankiness and all!