The Big Red Barn

By the big red barn
In the great green field,

There was a pink pig
Who was learning to squeal.

There was a great big horse
And a very little horse.

And on every barn
Is a weather vane, of course -
A golden flying horse.

There was a big pile of hay
And a little pile of hay,
And that is where the children play.
But in this story the children are away.
Only the animals are here today.

The sheep and the donkey,
The geese and the goats,
Were making funny noises
Down in their throats

An only scarecrow
Was leaning on his hoe.
And a field mouse was born...

In a field of corn.
Cock-a-doodle-dooooo!
In the barn there was a rooster
And a pigeon, too.

And a big white hen
Standing on one leg.
And under the hen was a quiet egg.

There was a bantam rooster
And a little bantam hen
With a clutch of eggs.
Count them. There are ten.

Cock-a-doodle-doo!
Mooooooo! Moo!
There was a big brown cow
And a little brown cow.

There was a old black cat,
Meow! Meow!
And a tiger tomcat,
Yeow! Yeow!

There was a big red dog,
Bow! Wow!
With some little puppy dogs
All round and warm.

And the all lived together
In the big red barn.

And the played all day
In the grass and in the hay.

When the sun went down
In the great green field,
The big cow lowed,
The little pig Squealed.

The horses stomped in the sweet warm hay,
And the little donkey gave on last bray.

The hens were sleeping on their nests.
Even the rooster took a rest.
The little black bats flew away
Out of the barn at the end of the day.

And there they were all night long

Sound asleep

In the big red barn.

Only the field mice were left to play,
Rustling and squeaking in the hay,

While the moon sailed high

In the dark night sky.

The End.
Again? Again?
Again?!?!

A Camping We Will Go!

Aunt B and Uncle C invited us to go camping with them down at Fort Kaskaskia. We were all excited to check out their new home-away-from-home on wheels. We didn't stay all night, but we all enjoyed pretending to camp. The dinner they cooked us was very very yummy. We loved the fresh green beans!
Of course we can't go anywhere without Austin's bag of goodies. Tractors, trucks, cars and anything else he can fit in his bag go everywhere with us!
It didn't take him long to find a new shed for his tractors. He loved hanging out on the bunk bed.AC and flat screen TVs - My kind of camping! We can't wait to go camping again!

Wordless Wednesday: ??

Tower

Another great birthday gift was his Learning Tower from Nana and Pa. I'm not kidding when I tell you that you need one of these. We are so happy that Bella's Mommy passed along the great find when Bella received one for Christmas. Austin does everything from, eating snacks to helping with the dishes, in his tower. I know it's definitely not a necessity but it's a lot safer then a bar stool!

The Official Stats

The official two-year stats are finally in!

Weight: 30 lbs and 10 oz - 75th % - Up 4.5 pounds from 18 mo
Height: 37 inches - 95th % - Up 3 inches from 18 mo
Head: 20 inches - 90th % - Up 1/4 inch from 18 mo

He was such a big boy at the doctor. He didn't make a single peep during the exam or shot. It wasn't until the band-aid came out that he actually cried. It didn't even help that it matched his shirt! It hurt my heart to see how hard he was trying not to cry in from the the nurse. How can he already know he should be tough!?! He's growing up way to fast!The Doc said he's a healthy little big boy. I believe his exact words were, "he's definitely bigger than the average bear!" I felt a little lightheaded when he said that another visit isn't required until he heads to school. School?!?! Babies don't go to school!

(Does anyone else getting a germy feeling just looking at the first picture? I swear I could feel myself getting sick while sitting in the exam room!)

Wordless Wednesday: Dad

Would you like fries with that?

One of Austin's favorite birthday gifts is his toy grill from Grandma and Grandpa FerFer. We've had more burgers and hot dogs in the past month then we've had in the past two years. Did you know that pie is good on the grill? It's even better with his one and only condiment...ketchup!The grill is the prefect size to move outside when it's not 105 nice out. He has a blast grilling with Dad. His favorite burger toppings are "yunions, sheese, matos and wetus."Food service runs from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., but don't come looking for eggs and bacon. It's burgers and hot dogs all day long!

Wordless Wednesday: Quack!

Oink, Cluck, Moo...The Details!

I was started thinking about Austin's 2nd Birthday just a few months after his 1st party. I was planning on "Choo Choo! Austin's 2!" until I found these...The party quickly turned into "Oink, Cluck, Moo...Austin's two!" Everything just fell into place from there...

I had so much fun finding all the details to make his party extra special. Farm animal hats, farm burp cloths for the babies and marshmallow farm animals for the big kids.

The birthday boy in his tower - The cake table with favors for the kids and adults - Party hats, coloring pages and Austin's farm book for all his guests to sign - Zucchini and Pumpkin bread

Decorations included yellow and white daises, cow balloons, jean pockets for our silverware and homemade flag banners.

Austin's Halloween pictures fit perfectly with our theme - An area of the kids to play. Farm toys, of course! - Silverware pockets - Great Grandpa Salger and Pa's favorite tractor also fit right in!

Stefan kindly helped us with the artwork!

Austin opening one of his gifts - Flag banners in the kitchen - Banner of monthly tractor pictures over the drink table - Color favors

Oink, Cluck, Moo...The Party!

Austin had so much fun at his party. We tried to keep things as cool as possible but it was a little hard considering it was 90+ degrees!

He wanted to get every gift out of the box before moving on to the next one. I think he must have said "open" 500 times that night!

Dinner included pork steaks, potato salad, pasta salad, slaw, and broccoli casserole.

I think a good time was had by all!

Oink, Cluck, Moo...The Cake!

I was referred to a baker by a friend at work. I had high hopes, but never imaged we'd get a cake this stinking cute!It was almost too cute to cut! The best part was that it tasted as good as it looked!