Apple picking

Last week we met for playgroup at Countryside Orchard, just south of Culver.  We brought home a huge bag of apples, and full tummies.  I think both girls had at least two apples apiece while we were there and one on the ride home!  We love going there, it's our 3rd time. 

Anna and her buddy Scotty!

at the farm

 Our playgroup headed up to a farm for the morning last week.  Anna liked these chickens, but didn't care for the turkeys hanging around on the other side.  They were a bit creepy looking and scary sounding!

 Anna(in the hat) helped out by feeding some chickens, and also ended up with feed in her pocket, a snack for later perhaps.

 Anna trying to feed the goats, only she failed to open her hand, a vital part of them actually getting to the feed.

 Maria and good friend Elisabeth "riding a horse".

The girls grooming the horse, Taffy.

 Let's go check out those geese mom!

 on second thought...

Anna making friends!

Goodbye friend!  Anna has a good buddy Isabel that is moving back to Croatia today with her family.  We will miss you Blanka and Isabel!

We have plenty to praise God for; friendships no matter how far away you are.

will there be a cow?

Thankfully, yes, there was a cow...and goats, chickens, turkeys, ducks, guinea fowl, ponies, rabbits.  Our playgroup met up at Prairie Winds Farm near Lakeville, IN.  Farmer Charlotte led an excellent fun-filled day for us, from holding/petting/feeding the various animals to riding the pony and milking the goat, taking a nature hike by the pond, where they made mud pies, through the woods, while checking out the stick houses and along the prairie, watching for the birds in their boxes, and we finished up by having a picnic before our drive home.  I think it is safe to say that the kids had a great time. 

Maria ready to feed the goat her turnip.  Later she got to try her hand at milking a goat...she wasn't too excited about that chore.

He is not too interested in her turnip.

He did like the oats however, but licked Maria in the process of eating and she wasn't too sure she liked that.

Here, try some grass.

She tried out...every....single....brush in the bucket.

seriously!  Both on the cow and the pony.  So I guess a good farm chore for her would be to brush the animals.  This is the cow that she was anticipating being there.

Anna decided to check out the chicken...good thing I was holding it and not her, since she doesn't quite understand the meaning of gentle yet.  She was SO good all day though, but with only an hour nap on the way home she was more than ready to head to bed tonight.

Off we go on a pony ride.

On the nature hike.
We have plenty to praise God for; amazing creatures to learn about and explore.