What's up 4 Non Blondes?

This morning we picked up four of the new additions to this years flock. Say hello to - Ariel, Josie, Wendy and Ginger. Collectively we're calling them the 4 Non Blondes.

After losing the Spice Girls, our Barred Rock hens, last fall to a weasel we've been planning for our new flock all winter. Instead of sticking with just one breed, we're branching out to a variety of hens. The 4 Non Blondes are red babcock or hyline hens, bred for egg production. These ladies come to us at about 17ish weeks old which means we should be getting eggs within the next month.

In April we'll be getting 15 chicks - a mixture of barred rocks, cuckoo marans, and speckled Sussex. In the meantime Marc is busy designing, planning and building our new chicken coop which we will locate over by our garden instead of next to the wood pile on the driveway. I'm fantasizing about chicken tunnels and how to get the hens to do the weeding and fertilizing in the garden for me. Anyone who has visited in the summer knows the weeds are out of control in our garden and we need all the help we can get! 

Cooking with a Toddler - Blueberry Muffins

Lately I've started to invite Violet into the kitchen to cook with me. I can't tell you how excited she gets about the idea of baking together. It usually starts with "I need my apron" and crazy pointing at the drawer where it lives. Then she wants to hold all the ingredients and the measuring spoons and cups. Unfortunately it usually ends with tears when she realizes she has to wait for the baked goods to cook in the oven before we can eat them.

Today we made blueberry muffins. Violet learned how to use a whisk and the importance of folding the wet ingredients into the dry ones so as not to over mix. 

I have to say - the jumbo muffins turned out pretty good! 

And the best part of course is enjoying the treat for our afternoon snack. Happy Friday!! 

**In case you want to make these blueberry muffins we used this recipe, minus the sparkle.

Poppy - 3 Months

Weight - approx 13 pounds 1 ounce

Dear Poppy, 

Perhaps I should have addressed this letter to "smiley miley" because that's what I've been finding myself calling you as of late. I still can't believe just how much you smile - you really are a happy baby. There are three specific times that come to mind when your smile really gets me, (1) in the middle of the night when I'm trying to rock you back to sleep and you just gaze up at me and smile, (2) in the middle of a nursing session when you pause, smile, and then continue nursing and (3) your very large smile after you fart or when you finish pooping. That last one is hilarious every time. 

You have definitely started to become our little social butterfly. You are happiest when you are around other people. If we get up and move rooms for a minute you get upset and let us know that you don't want to be left behind. You also really enjoy sitting on someone's lap and watching the world go by. Unfortunately this interest in the world has led to the development of a bald spot on the back of your head from looking back and forth as you are lying down. You are definitely curious about what's going on around you.

This month you have started to discover your hands. You are able to get your hands to your mouth but you haven't really figured out how this is going to help you yet. You have also realized that the arms on your body can move your hands to bat at toys on your play mat - however, you'll need some more practice before I can say that you are purposefully reaching for them. Your Nana and Granddad also came back to visit you this month and my have you changed since they saw you last. You are definitely growing bigger everyday and are more of a baby then when they were here at Christmas. We are loving watching you grow and develop and I think even Violet is beginning to notice it. There are times when she wants to hang out next to you and help you learn more about our world. I think she realizes that one day, not too long from now, she might actually be able to play with you. 

Love, 

Your Mom, Dad and big sister Violet

Violet's Three Month Post

Violet and Poppy at 3 months