Lambs and Melting Snow

We had a lamb born on the farm this past week.  This little ram lamb is thriving: spunky and cute and friendly.  Clare named him Keo (Key-oh) and has been loving the extra time home from school to spend in the barn with him.  He comes when she calls him and loves to nibble on her boots and hair. We have three more ewes due to have their babies any day now - I hope Clare takes a liking to any ewe lambs that are born because we'll be selling the rams in the fall/winter.

It's interesting that in our human history males have been judged as more important, given more privileges, etc, and in the animal world it's usually the females that are most valued.  Chickens for eggs, cows for milk, ewe lambs for reproduction.  Most of the animals on our farm are girls.  We have 1 ram (unless you count Keo), 1 rooster, and 1 male duck.  Compare that to 33 hens, 10 female ducks, and four female sheep.

We've had to lower our swings from their winter heights (above the snow) to their summer heights as more and more snow has melted, leaving bare ground beneath.  The kids LOVE being out without their jackets, hats, mittens, and snowpants on.  Nora's grin here is pure joy.

Clare made Lena a little "sand box" because our real one is still covered in snow.  She loved it!

Clare made sides for her sand box and lugged a concrete block over for a bench for Lena.  They had a blast.

Nora takes a turn holding Keo.  His mama (dark head on the right) keeps a close eye on him.