A Sunday with the Cats (yes, I said that correctly).

I am the first to admit, I'm not a cat person.  It's just that if I had to choose between owning a dog and a cat, I'd choose a dog.  But, the kids have been begging for a cat.  I've always said no.  Well, last week at Carter's piano lesson, his teacher said she had three older kittens who needed homes.  As any good parent would, I passed the buck to Jeremy.  And...he said yes!  I was shocked.  So, Saturday afternoon we had a little delivery.

Jeremy said they could have the cats on one condition...that they live in the barn.  So, the boys readied beds for their new pets.

And, it's been love at first sight...so far.  Carter hasn't named his.  Peter's is Fuzzy (yes, that's the second Fuzzy we have now).  John Paul's is Nellie.  They're all male cats.

This is the one without a name.

And, Fuzzy is always hiding, which is probably good, being that we have owls, too.

 Carter is most impressed with their climbing skills.

Nellie.

 And, what would an animal post be without a little chicken update.

We have fourteen, and ten are consistently laying.  It's been so, so fun for all of us!

So, if you need an animal fix, we can probably help you out.  We've got a little bit of everything around here!

Our Days with the Chicks

Okay guys, this is our life now...these little chicks.  So, get ready to see some more posts.  We've brought them into the yard during the days, and the kids cannot get enough.  We've had two accidents, and the boys have tried to give a couple of them a bath (bad idea).  But, beyond those things, they're great!  They've pulled out a stroller and give them rides around the yard.  They let them perch on their fingers and try to fly.  And, mainly they just take great care of them.

Sophie has a harder time getting to them fast enough to catch them.

After Sophie and I got home from Mass Saturday night, Jeremy took the boys to the next Mass, and I started supper.  Well, I looked out and couldn't see Sophie.  I didn't know that the chicks were still in the yard (instead of in their home).  When I went to peek in, I saw this.

She was just sitting in the pen waiting for them to run by so she could pet them.

I couldn't get her to come inside.

So, I'll have to say that buying these chicks has been a great decision!  Very soon, we have to get the coop ready, so I'll let you know how that goes!

Chick Chick Chickadee

Well, we did it.  We bought chickens, or chicks, really.  I didn't think we would.  Heck, just a couple of years back we turned our coop into a storage space.  Well, fast forward to May 1st, when it was snowing outside.  Jeremy decided to take the kids for a little adventure and came home with eight babies.

Just a couple weeks before, my parents decided to do the same, but they bought fifty.

We had baby chicks at one point when I was growing up, but I don't remember much about the upkeep.  For now, they're in a little tank with shavings, their food/water and a heat lamp.

Soon, we'll get the coop back in order and set up a little area for them to run around that is protected from the dogs.

For anyone wanting to try, I'll keep you updated.  For those who are seasoned chicken keepers, I need all your tips!

I'm really excited about this being a project for the kids.  I hope they remain excited!  Plus, I'm anxious for eggs at some point.  However, I'll be the first to say, when we discover any roosters, I think we'll get rid of them and keep the hens...I'm not excited to crack an egg for breakfast only to find a chick inside. Yikes.

So far, this little guy is in love with them.  He spends so much time with them and came in the other day saying that Fuzzy pooped on his finger.  "Momma, I wanted to say, 'NO NO Fuzzy.  You know we don't do that!' but he was just being so sweet, I just couldn't do it."

We've got a Fuzzy, MooMoo, Polly Jolly, and a Maud so far.  We need four more names (no, we don't know which one is which).  So...here's to new adventures!