Second Jacking

Joe already had this heifer in the lot because she had been trying to steal another calf.  When Joe checked her Sunday morning the water bag was out. A couple of hours later the feet were out but she wasn’t trying to do anything.  It was time to get her up and check things out. 

Everything was there where it was supposed to be but bigger than the other calves we had been having.   I got the chains on and Joe worked the jack. 

It was pretty quick but I don’t think we could have pulled it by hand. 

And it was alive. 

I am not liking this bigger size. 

The Hunt

Our family Easter celebration was postponed until yesterday.  We had a good turnout with everyone but Matt. (missed you Matt)  After lunch it was time for the main event, the Easter Egg Hunt.  Sadie had said the one she had at church was not the real one.  The one at Mimi's house was going to be the real one.  

There was a good herd of Easter bunnies to hide all the eggs.  Then it was Sadie and Allie's turn...

And, they'er off!

I'm not sure how many eggs where hidden but it was probably well over a hundred.  

There was lots of running.  

And there were some special surprises.  Emily and Keiran had given them musical instruments from their trip to Peru.  

Then it was time to find out what else they got.  

Lots of candy, money, stickers, toys and nail polish.  

But then there was this special egg.  Mike told them Mimi needed to help with it.  I could not believe what was inside, an ultrasound of our next precious granddaughter!  It was a special egg indeed.  

 

More Restrictions

This time it is for the goats not the horses. 

The due date for kidding to start is April 14.  But Joe has carried enough early kids from the far corners of the farm that he wanted to get them up a little earlier.  They were split into two groups  One group was near the barn. 

The other group, not so much. But they were not difficult to deal with. 

 Now we just have to wait. 

He Is Risen

Happy Easter. 

The weather has been warmer than usual and I have a bad case of Spring Fever.  The tulips that I planted in my large pots are blooming.  Sadie hasn't been here yet to try to pick them.  I have bought some broccoli and cauliflower plants put haven't had a chance to work up the garden yet.  There are lots of chores to be getting on with.  
 

Buying More Work

I missed a year mulching so I have plenty of work to do to catch up. 

Today, I bought that work.  I had a dump trailer of mulch delivered.  Now I have until Joe buys hay sometime early summer to get it spread and out of his way.  

You can see there is a need for lots of mulch.  

I am trying the trench edging method.  Cutting straight down on the grass side, then at a 45 degree angle on the inside and removing the cut out part.  

Then I have a shallow trench to fill and can spread the mulch back from there.  I am hoping that by doing it this way I won't have to spray the edges with Round-up.  It is more work but I think it will be worth it in the long run.  I only got two buggy loads spread before it started to rain.  I will have plenty to do for awhile.  

 

Restricted

Draper has started her restricted diet.  In an effort to keep her off of fescue I am keeping her up and feeding what is supposed to be fescue free hay.  My plan is to switch her to alfalfa for the last 30 days. 

I have reconfigured the new barn to where she can just be loose in the whole thing. I have a stall area I can move her to if I want to ride a different horse. Right now Clyde is being restricted too.  I have started limiting his access to spring grass. I think he has foundered some in the past. 

At least he can keep Draper company through the fence. Hugo is on the other end of the barn for the time being. And at some point Otoelene will need to start her restricted diet.  Maybe I should have just built stalls for everyone.  But I just hate stalls. 
 

Guest Trainer

I got to keep Sadie and Allie again yesterday. 

We started out playing outside. We were trying to do some shadow tracing but had to keep waiting for the sun to pop out. 

After we did the tracing, the girls added some details like hair and faces. 

After lunch our guest trainer arrived and we headed out to catch Clyde. 

Linda taught me how to ride, now she is working on a third generation. 

I think Sadie and Allie enjoyed the change up 

And I know Linda was in heaven. 

After letting Clyde go we went to check out the new calf. 

Allie actually wanted to pet her. 

Sadie opted for picking flowers. 

No flower is safe from Sadie.