Fun on the Farm

We were so thrilled to be back home after being away for 15 days. Jackson especially missed our friends so much, because he is at an age where he loves to be around other kids. We also love being at home right now because Western New York summers just can't be beat with perfect weather and lots of fresh fruit ripe for the picking.

It seems like we spent a whole week out at Someday Maybe Farms, making several trips in a row to pick strawberries to eat as snacks, desserts or make into jam.

Jackson became quite the strawberry puller. We say "pull" because he didn't just "pick." No, our kid has quite the flair for the dramatic and likes to say "pull" as he makes a big show of tugging each berry off the plant.

We were never alone in our pursuit of the perfect berry. Every time we went to the farm, we'd either go with or meet our friends there. Of course, Jackson and Etta are inseparable.

When you throw in Joey and Ellie, there's nothing but good times in store, especially when we all head over to the barn.

The berries aren't the only attraction at the farm. There are also trucks, tractors, and other cool machines. Jackson has become quite the truck/tractor connoisseur. He knows the difference between a front-end loader and an excavator, and he's not afraid to tell you if you mix them up.

He's also brought his new-found love of horses home from Kentucky with him. We're never at the farm for very long before he starts to say "neigh, neigh." He's not shy at all about petting them or even giving them a kiss on the cheek.

We actually wish he was a little more shy around the bull, but he walks right up to him and says "moo." The bull will moo back at him, and they have a little conversation. Jackson wants to give him kisses, too, and doesn't think it's very fair that we won't let him.

As much fun as we have at the farm, we're proud to say we've been doing a little harvesting of our own these days too. Simon (and his mom and dad) took great care of our shared garden while we were gone.

We now have tons of fresh lettuce (red, head, and romaine) and broccoli. We're also starting to get our first zucchinis.

Speaking of Simon, he had a big birthday party with Etta. They turned 4 (Simon is 1 and Etta is three).

It was quite a bash, and Jackson had a blast running through the sprinklers and playing in the mud with the kids. He also enjoyed showing off his super cool swim body. As you can see, he's saying "this way to the gun show."