Baby goats everywhere!

A few weeks ago, John googled goat farms. He came across one in the upstate, Split Creek Farms. He found out they were going to have a "meet our baby goat day". Well, of course, Chloe wanted to go. She loves goats! The problem was we couldn't take the dogs and we were going to be gone over five hours.

We asked a friend's daughter if she would be willing to dog sit. She would be happy too! Woohoo! We were set. We thought we were. Then we checked the weather...100% chance of rain. You have to be kidding!

Well, we decided rain or not we were going. And we did. It poured down rain on our way up I-26. Then we got about thirty minutes from the farm and the rain stopped. It didn't rain again until we were in the truck leaving. And the temperature was perfect. It was a beautiful day. And we were all so glad we went despite the forecast.

Baby goats!!!!!

"Okay, I'm not a baby, but please rub my head."

We loved this one's hair, also had a GREAT beard too.

"Smile for the camera!" (She is very pregnant.)

I loved this door knocker.

This is the breed of dog the farm uses. I think there were three of them. This one stayed in this position the entire time we were there, about four hours.

Did I mention this is a dairy farm?

An award winning dairy!

We came home with feta cheese in oil and some with chives. John made us pizzas last night with the feta in oil (okay, mine was like that) and it was fabulous. We also came home with some of their fudge. Both are made with the goat's milk from the farm. We even had goat's milk ice cream. Yum!

Free range goat; he was totally sweet

 

These two played and stared at each other for a while.

The goat Chloe wanted to bring home. It was the smallest one out.

The morning we were at the farm, four more babies were born (two sets of twins). A lady brought one out for us to see but no one was allowed to touch it. It was only eight hours old. So precious.

John was at home here.

Chloe visiting with her favorite goat one last time.

We had such a great day. It was so relaxing, just what we needed. We were so grateful Grace dog sat for us so we could go. I know Chloe was more grateful than she could express. It is a beautiful, quaint, farm with so much to see and learn.

A week on the go

Tuesday, the girls and I had errands a plenty to run. Always seems like there is something we need or somewhere we need to be. Tuesday, we needed dog food. Rosie was quite distraught when we didn't feed her before we left; we were completely out of dog food.

Wednesday, the girls and I were suppose to go on a field trip to the Augusta Canal but it was rescheduled. Unfortunately, it was rescheduled to a day we cannot attend. I think we'll try to go ourselves one day with John.

Thursday, the girls and I went to Charlotte for the morning to help my parents with some yard work. All the recent rain made the grass really fast. Jesse learned how to put together, and use, a weed eater, and Chloe helped transplant some vegetables for Grandpa. Then of course, we had taekwondo too. I would have skipped taekwondo, but one of our students was graduating early. I always like to be a graduation, especially for my own students.

Really busy weekend!

Friday was the night Chloe had been waiting on for months! Friday night Grace Lin was speaking at the library. Grace Lin is a children's writer and illustrator. She has been one of Chloe's favorite writers for a while now. Honestly, when we arrived at the library I was worried. The library was closed! It was a little after 6pm and she was scheduled to speak at 7pm. All kinds of questions filled the air: did we have the correct night? were we suppose to be there before 6pm to get in the building? did we have the right location?

I knew we were at the right place and time, but I couldn't get any branch to answer the phone...it was after 6pm. Finally, about 6:15pm a security guard came to unlock the door. He explained that lock up to get all the "regulars" out, then reopen for the special event. Whew! I know Chloe was being brave. She kept saying, "its okay." But I knew it wouldn't be okay. I'm glad we didn't go to the car, but waited at the door while I tried to make phone calls.

We were the first inside. John decided we should sit on the front row and I'm thankful he made us. We had a great view and she was so funny. She even taught us how to draw a Chinese dragon. We were all given paper and crayons. It was fun and I know there were quite a few things John could relate to.

Waiting for Grace Lin

I haven't mentioned the food. The food! Oh, my!!! There was some kind of roast with an awesome sauce, chicken-on-a-stick, veggies, fruit, and a beer bar.

Grace Lin

 The above picture was taken just after Ms. Lin said she liked Chloe's hat. We thought Chloe was going to pass out. GRACE LIN LIKED HER HAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Grace Lin and one HAPPY Chloe

Sunday was John and I's eighteenth wedding anniversary. We are not big, elaborate people. Okay, sometimes we'll go way out there, but not this time. We went to Target to do some shopping. I know we are always at Target, BUT we went across town to our favorite Target. LOL  Then we went to Jimmy John's for lunch. I don't know why but John (mine) loves Jimmy John's. It was my first time (and I think Chloe's first time too). I thought it was good, but not crazy good like John says. Then yesterday afternoon, I suppose John was bored, John decided to make homemade cinnamon rolls. They were so good! We had them for breakfast today too; and we'll have them for breakfast tomorrow also.

Today, we found ourselves at the Fort Jackson Basic Training Museum. We've talked about going for the past couple of years. Today, we were across the street at the post office, so we decided to go in. I wish I had my camera. There were some very interesting things for it to be such a small museum.

So much to tell!

I honestly don't remember what we did last Thursday and Friday, except school work. We also had school over the weekend (John worked).

Saturday the girls and I went to Charlotte. They hung out with Grandpa, pulled some weeds in the backyard for him and I believe they moved some leaves too. I pulled some weeds in the front and mowed...until the mower ran out of gas. Oh, well. I'll go back very soon and mow again. You'll never know I missed a section. lol

Sunday was another school day. Other than that I truly don't remember doing anything. Monday was the same.

Tuesday was very different. We had two doctors' appointments: one in Sumter and one in Columbia. Chloe has gained five pounds and grew almost two inches; however, her doctor wants her to gain a bit more weight. It is hard for her, but she is going to try. Her doctor also said she thinks she has started her growth spurt now. We'll see what happens in October when they go back. We also had a retirement party that afternoon.

Yes, another retirement party for another librarian. The library is truly nothing like it was when we moved to Columbia. I miss so many people. Some I see on Facebook, have lunch with, or bump into at library functions (they changed branches), but it is still not the same. Of course, I get more work done at the library now because I'm not talking as much as I used to. lol  Because of all of our running around school work was not finished until close to 5pm. I decided to have Master Mike teach our class and we took the night off from taekwondo.

Yesterday, the girls and I were leaving lunch at CFA when my friend Julia came up behind us. I haven't talked to her since they returned from Texas, so we sat for a bit to chit chat. I'm hoping we can find a time for us to meet up, for a longer chat, very soon.

The big news is for Jesse. Last night we signed her up for an animation class. I don't remember if I have posted anything about it on the blog yet. The class is being taught by Chad Stewart. He is an animator originally with Disney now with Sony. His list of work is quite remarkable. Jesse actually got the final spot in the summer classes for Animation I this summer. I think she is excited. She says she is but honestly (she's a teen) it is difficult to tell.

John is off the next few days, so it should be interesting around here. However, today we won't see much of him. We are heading out to meet my cousin and her boys for a play at CCT, then we'll have lunch together. We are usually gone until late afternoon. And tonight is taekwondo. I'm mid-terming in two weeks so I need to go practice. My butterfly kicks are still very sad. But overall I'm happy with the way may form is coming. I've had a great teacher. Jesse!

A busy week

John took some time off this week, Monday through Wednesday. Monday we loaded up, ourselves and the dogs, and headed to Sesqui. It is beautiful there. We do love walking the trails. We had lunch under the tall pines between walks. The dogs enjoyed themselves too. We even met up with a lady who works at the drill hall. One of her twins, Jessie Lynn, kept hugging Hank. He wasn't so sure what to do, but he was a good boy. Rosie loved the attention too.

Monday night I met my friend Lauren for coffee. I always enjoy our talks. While we are very different, we are very much the same. It is always nice to talk to someone who understands where you are coming from.

Tuesday was a quiet day. We stayed home most of the day. John and Chloe worked on her "corn field". The onions she planted last week have started growing, so she is really excited. Jesse and I read.

Wednesday, Jesse volunteered at the library. We left John and Chloe at home. But about 10:30, I looked around the library and there was Chloe coming toward me...they were bored. lol  They had gone to Michael's to get supplies to make Chloe a new PEZ dispenser display. They spent the day working on it. She was really happy with the way it turned out. Last night, I made it to my book club. I missed not being there last month.

Her other PEZ display is now being used for her holiday PEZs. She forgot to take a picture, but we'll try to get one posted soon. It is funny to see hearts and bats in the same display, but she loves it!

We also ran a few errands. Monday John gave the dogs water from his hands, so he decided we needed some kind of folding water bowl for the dogs for hiking. While we were out, we went to PetSmart to buy one. Chloe also wanted to buy a book for the book signing next week at the library. Since we bought her a book, Jesse got the newest book in her favorite series too.

Today has been quiet. The girls and I got our hair cut, school completed and soon we'll be getting ready for taekwondo.

The next few weeks will be just as busy. We have so many appointments, an art class, a field trip, parties and other things on the calendar; I just hope we don't miss accidentally something.

A week later and today is Easter

I know last weekend we did things, but right this second I can't recall.

Last Sunday, I got the call my Mom's cousin, Gary, passed away. He was sick when Uncle Carroll passed away. He spent is last couple of weeks being treated at Duke. His funeral was last Wednesday, so the girls and I went to Charlotte. The girls stayed with Grandpa while my Mom and I went to the funeral. Two funerals in a month, the same side of the family and the same church is just really sad. My poor Aunt Marion lost her brother-in-law then her son. So difficult.

John took the day off Thursday. Chloe and John started Chloe's garden. I believe she planted onions; they still need to plant her corn. I think they are planning to plant that this week.

Chloe in her brand new gardening hat.

Saturday, John and the girls went fishing. Then they went to the commissary. I got to sleep in!!! We also played an awesome game of Sorry!, which took forever! But was great fun.

Today is Easter. We went to Charlotte to spend the day with my parents.

Sharing pictures of the play with Grandpa.

Helping Grandpa make rolls. See how high the dough rose!

Silly!

Just being herself.

My awesome family!

Egg dyeing with Grandma.