Cowboy Tug-a-War

Such a sweet Father/Son picture on Easter Sunday, which also happened to be The Cowboy Jr.'s Birthday as well.

What better way to celebrate a Birthday than with a little bit of roping.

This time it quickly turned into a game of tug-a-war.

They pulled.


And tugged.

There were some smiles.

Some laughs too.

In the end the Little Guy lost.

I think he just gave up, really. Didn't want to show up his Dad.

Despite the poor, sad, pitiful look on his face, he did have a great day.

She Cracks Me Up

Little Bit was out playing on the porch with the dog. She opens the door sticks her little face in and says, "Whatcha think mom?"

I say, "I think you are crazy."

"NOOOO, think-a something else, we already know that"

My Middle Child

She grabbed her daddy's hat, I grabbed the camera.

She never misses an opportunity to have her picture taken, she likes to pose, she loves the attention.

She knows the household inventory better than I do - I would not be able to find anything without her.

She even keeps a 'stash' of assorted items in her bed, just in case. You know important items like a hammer and nail, you never know when you will need to hang your newest piece of art work on your wall.

Don't let that sweet look fool you - I pretty sure she is planning something.

She off to play, but not with out one last picture and smile.

My Country Girl

Last Sunday as soon as we got home from church, my kids were off and playing in their Sunday clothes.

I tell the girls to go take off their dresses and put play clothes on. A little while later, The Cowboy calls to me and asks, "Did you tell Little Bit to take off her dress?" And here is what I saw.

Too pretty of a day, too busy to be bothered by changing or even putting the dress away.

She sees me and just can't pass up the opportunity for a picture with her favorite dog.

Dirt, lip gloss and flowers, your favorite dog, your rubber boots and tights - Life is so simple.

The photo shot is over and she is off again to play, and see what she can catch with her net.

Sick-day with Daddy

Someone remind me next time - that this may or may not be a good idea.

Both girls ran fevers and felt a little yucky over the weekend. I stayed home with them Monday, The Cowboy had to run all over creation, bulls to here, bulls to there - every where a bull -- HA HA!

Little Bit was still running a bit of a fever but acting very much like herself so she stayed with daddy today - I would come home early so he could fix some fences - the cows thought it would be a 'fun' girls night out last night - I think they played tag, around and inside the barn and one mamma must have missed her baby because she bawled for it all night long.

We rode around this afternoon looking for new babies. Left the two big kids to play near the pond and went to check the creek bottom pasture. Little Bit thought she could ride in the back, like the big kids, no, nope, sorry, not going to happen - not while I'm watching.

The Cowboy said it must be a rude awakening for her, she has gotten to do what she wanted today. What?

Little Bit, you are not going to eat that ice cream in my truck - No. OK.

Little Bit, you can't have that umptenth glass of chocolate milk - No. OK let me pour you another one.

Little Bit, we are going this way. No. OK we'll go that way.

Little Bit, We are not going to feed the horses carrots right now. No. OK, here are more carrots for Penny.

I asked how in the world are we going to have a united front against this battle of the wills if you give in?? He answers - I couldn't help it, I didn't want to fight with her. She's just too cute.

Heaven, help us, please.

NOOOOOO!!!!!!

Tell me its not true! It can't be - it just can't!!!

I got a postcard in the mail - it really almost made me cry! I really can't be that old - I just can't - It is not true - I refuse to believe that it is!


How in the world could a post card cause me to want to run to the nearest corner and live in denial for the rest of my life???


It is a postcard for PRE-TEEN camp for this summer - to pre-register! WHAT!!!????? NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!


I thought The Cowboys eyes were going to pop out of his eye sockets when he saw it and said, "WHAT!!"


This is not the face of a PRE-TEEN


NOR the one in the Blue Shirt








OR this little cowboy


OR the one of the First Day of School!


PRE-TEEN? This mud monster??

NO!! NO!! NO!!

Please, PLEASE, PLEASE Tell me it is not true! I'll believe you!!!!

Fishing with PaPa

Last summer we took the kids fishing.

You have to pick just the right bait for the job.

It must be attached just right.

Then you try it out......

And decided you need to change something.

AHHH, yes that is better.

Yep, she'll do

Mostly, you just sit back, relax and enjoy the show.

With of course a few 'Why?' questions here and there.

What's under Your tree??

I Think I Love You

I love very few horses. I like most, I even really like some.

But this one........

Oh my! I LOVE this one!!!!
His name is Peso. And I just LOVE him!

My girl does too!

And I think he likes her too.

He doesn't mind her 'grooming' him, not one bit.

I think he enjoys it.

She shares her food with him - you know important horse type food like peanut butter crackers and animals cookies. Oh, of course not the horse ones though that would be cannibalism or something.

Wait - don't stop he says! I'll give you a kiss --- please just don't leave!
Oh Peso! I just love you!

The Horse and His Boy

Every boy should have a horse - at least I'm convinced.

Not every boy does - but I'm sure at some point every boy dreams of being a cowboy.

My boy doesn't have to dream. He is a Cowboy.

I love that my kids are being raised in the country. I send them out to play, they can roam, and explore and just be kids. They can create and imagine on their own. They can entertain themselves.

I could not even imagine my life any other way.

Sisters

Something I never had was a sister. I fought with my dad when my mom was pregnant with my brother that it would be a girl, I wanted a sister. I think it may be something all little girls want or dream of at some point.

Now I still think that the perfect family would include 2 boys and 2 girls - that way everyone has a brother and a sister. My poor son will never have a brother, but he has 2 sisters that will undoubtedly drive him crazy or at least send him running for his room in search of solitude.

While I have no idea what that sisterly bond holds for my but girls, I'd like to think it looks something like this picture; holding hands, looking out for each other, and taking care of one another. Sure there will be times when they fight too. I pray it will remain like this picture; they have something special, they have each other, they are sisters.