Popcorn, Milk, and Farm chores

Lena loves petting the chickens (after she puts up a good protest about going outside in the first place).  I never realized that so much of parenting would involve forcing my kids to have fun.  For example, the kids never feel like packing up to go to the beach.  So I force them to pack their stuff and get in the van.  And once we're there they don't want to go home.  Or skiing.  They don't want to get out in the cold but once they're on the trails they have a blast.  

Lena loves our kitty.  She made this crinkly mat for her and was delighted when Snowflake laid on it while she was coloring.  

Nora brought home a Little House Cookbook with a "recipe" for Popcorn & Milk from the book Farmer Boy.  You fill one cup with milk and another with popcorn.  Then you slowly put the popcorn into the milk until every piece fits.  As Almanzo said, "Popcorn and milk are two things that can occupy the same space at the same time."  

Drinking the milk first.

My sister's husband has been stopping by with his snowmobile on Saturdays to give the kids rides.  He had a train of 3 sleds this last time.   The kids had a blast riding all over the field.  Clare & Karl got to drive for a bit.