Tank Tops and Flip Flops

How did this happen?  How do I suddenly have a real walking, talking toddler?  Over the past couple of weeks, Kay Kay's communication skills have exploded.  Sure, she's had an awesome vocabulary all along, but there's just something about hearing two syllable words.  Two different syllables, that is.

It all started with "tank tops" and "flip flops".  They're fun words to say, if you think about it.  Now we regularly hear things like "outfide", "nursey" (nursery), "backpack", and "cheese (s)tick".  Oh, and sentences.  "Call Joe Joe."  "Drink milk."  "Eat snack."  "Read a book."  Lately, when she has my cell phone, she flips it open and declares that she's sending a "text message".  "To whom?"  I ask.  "Ummmm, (answer depends on day).  Go (to) park."

Just another great big reminder of our parenting philosophy, taken from Dr. Seuss:  "A person's a person no matter how small."

That Didn't Take Long.

Let's see:  We took Vera, the last rooster in our flock, to live with Mildred and their new owners on Friday, August 19.  Before we went to bed the following Tuesday night, we had three new hens.  Yes, they're really hens this time.  We got a double-your-money-back guarantee.  So we're back up to four chickens.  The three new hens don't have names yet which is really unusual (and worrisome) for me.  I always have a name for a pet before I get it.  Not this time.  And if you don't believe they're pets, just try ignoring their feelings in front of The Papa.  He's very protective of his peeps.  :)  Much consideration and supervision went into the process of introducing the three new girls to Lucille which is why I prayed very hard that Hurricane Irene would not head any further in our direction.  I have no interest in storing four hens in my garage.

Without further ado, here they are!

That's Lucille down front.  In case you're wondering, right now I have thirteen farm-fresh, I mean yard-fresh, eggs in my refrigerator.  Definitely hens.  As Kay Kay says when we gather eggs, "Thank you gulls!"