Saturday Morning at the Farm in Photos

On Saturday, we drove for an hour and a half to Dan's parents' place.
We went for a little visit, just lasting for the day.
The children saw their paternal grandmother and grandfather and their two paternal great-grandmothers, as well as two great uncles and their families.


It was a crisp, green morning and we were able to spend most of it outdoors, and the few of us who couldn't spend the entire morning outdoors peeked out the window at those of us who COULD be outdoors the entire time.

Here are photos from the first half hour we were there.

Mouth agape, watching her dad, grandpa, and brother clear some limbs that had just been cut.  I think it was the first time she had seen or heard a chainsaw. 

This isn't his first chainsaw study, but you can see he is still fascinated by watching ANY machine work. He asks us questions like, "Where's the gears in the chainsaw, mom? Does the motor connect to an axle?"

WOW.  That's a question I never anticipated!

And this photo (which I like better non-sepia) is of DHH ringing an old school bell that a great-grandfather bought at auction. His great-great Uncle Earl actually heard this bell ring, signaling him to come in from recess to study in a one - room school house in Berger, Missouri.

Both kids needed to examine a tree frog, which suddenly appeared on this ancient blade sharpening stone.

DHH was so funny saying, "Hi Froggy! How are you, Frog? I see you! Peek a you!"

Actually, I don't think Elsie actually saw the frog at all.  She did discover that the wheel turned on an axle, though.  So she got some science exposure. :)

DHH was curious about how the "Finning Stone" worked.  So Dad and Grandpa demonstrated with knife blades.

To move the stone, you pedal the bike wheels.

He was happy to help.

These photos show EK's serious, careful side.  She studied the catkin and the pollen it left on her hand so carefully, and grunted to return back when I walked over.

My little botanist. 

My MIL wanted a photo of us by this bell.  In truth, I cropped the heck out of this photo and edited with an odd filter because I thought we looked strange in the photo standing in front of a bell.  As per child protocol,  neither kid looked at the camera.

She won't be permitted to ride on this for another two years or so, but I think she would prefer to DRIVE grandpa's gator!

And my little tractor enthusiast found an old plow that he needed to explore.

"That's so cool, D! Give us a thumbs up!"

He tries and gives us ten up.

Climbing into the cab, all but begging for a ride.

His first ride in a "cab tractor pulling a harrow" - this guy knows his tractor terminology.

Her gaze never leaves her brother.

Discovering an old grain wagon.

With a steering wheel and window.

Telling his dad that turning the steering wheel moves the gears that moves the door closed.  All we can say is, "Yes, you are right, son." But he tells us five times in row to make sure, or perhaps to just emphasize his excitement.

Watching her brother have all the fun.

I wonder if she will be as disinterested as I am when it comes to farming apparatus, or if she'll enthusiastically explore the old barn and its goodies inside like her brother does. 

We go out to this farm property at least every six weeks, alternating between weeks of grandparents visiting our city and going to my parents' home.  Its so impressive to me that each time we go my children look so different in the photos and are interested in seeing new things.  It gives us the opportunity to see the same thing with fresh eyes.