Christus Resurrexit

Nooo, I did not give up blogging for Lent.  I just happen to be, as I said before, a bad sort of blogger.  I'm the kind of blogger your mother would not want you hanging around.
I'm a random and reckless blogger.

But enough of this self deprecating talk, Christ has Risen...let us REJOICE! ALLELULIA!!

 Happy Easter !

April has proven to be a most exciting month! To save on time and mental exertion I've narrowed down the excitement to a "Top 3" (not in chronological order):

#3- Our garden is planted:

We've got Zucchini, Eggplant, Cucumbers, Tomatoes and yellow and green Peppers. What did I tell ya? Exciting times, people.

#2 - We got chicks!

 Meet Ginger.  I wanted to name her Dolly (as I have always thought the name Dolly would be an incredibly suitable name for a chick).  I tried and I tried and I tried to get Mila to name her chick Dolly but she would NOT budge! Insolent daughter. So Richard bought me my very own chick just so I could name her Dolly.  At least, somebody loves me.

 Of course, barnyard (or in this case, 'garage yard') social etiquette is immediately put into practice.  Here is Mila introducing Ginger to Bella, the Top Dog in this joint.  They have become fast friends these two.

Heeeeere's Dolly! She's the super cute super fluffy one in the back; the off-white darling keeping a modest distance. She's on the smaller side but definitely makes up for it in her handsome and agile ways. 

And here's their new pad.  Originally it was the kids' playhouse that my father built.  We had to gut the place and put in chicken wire windows and lay down new wood chip flooring.

Freedom!

#1 - The 2014 Easter Celebration

Decorating eggs.

 Simon helping Richard who's helping me out by making Apple Fritters.

When they are done, you sprinkle icing sugar on them and stick a feather in your cap! These are delicious.  I hated to share them.

Mila helping me make Chocolate Chow Mein Nests. I need all kinds of help these days.

Adorable and edible. Speaking of adorable and edible, let me introduce you all to my peaches...

People...Meet Peaches.  Peaches...Meet People.  These are Italian Pastry Cream-filled Peaches that I only ever saw at massive Italian weddings.  They are divine.  A special Easter treat soaked in a Rum/Peach Scnapps mixture.  None for the kiddos, hahahahahahaha!

This year we decided to do a Treasure Hunt.  One clue led to another...until...you get the idea.

Eureeka!

 I remember getting a big chocolate egg for Easter...and that's it.

   

 I adore that little pincer grip of his!

Try not to focus on the neon whale onesie Richard dressed him in.  Instead, concentrate on that gorgeous smile or his chunky, down right edible legs or his cute little toes...

Let's take a closer look at some of the goodies:

Every child got one of these bad boys.

For Simon: Felix and the Spider is a great little book that any child would delight in.  The illustrations are as delightful as the story itself. With a talking spider and mean soldiers to round out the story, 

what's not to love?

The Hungry Caterpillar stickers were just a lucky purchase.  I came by them at the Dollar Tree. 

 I heart The Dollar Tree.

For Ezra: Alexander the Great by Demi (granted, it's not exactly Easter-y, but the unique, vibrant illustrations somehow work) and a fun Easter sticker book that has a reading to go along with each sticker  both make for a highly satisfying Easter gift for a boy.

 Mila got this sweet little bonnet...

and these great books and stickers.

I also ordered these Lemon Iced Sugar Cookies online (Williams-Sonoma) for all the kids to share. Aren't they darling? 

And let's not forget my FAVORITE chocolate: Lindt chocolate carrots.

That's me, in case you've forgotten.

Two out of Four of my favorite boys.

Best in Show

Mila participated in her very first horse show last week end: the Spring Schooling Show hosted by the Choctaw Round Up Club and she didn't even break a leg!
She did, however, fall off her horse at the very beginning of warm ups because Jitterbug (her horse) was not used to all the commotion and Mila was unable to stop her.  Something she should probably work on.  Ezra said it best when he looked up at me and said, "All she has to say is, 'Whoa!' Mamma... that's so easy!"
But did that fall stop or spook our girl's equitation infatuation? Nope.  She cried a tiny bit but wanted to climb back atop Jitterbug soon after and she went on to win three ribbons to boot! We are so proud of her!

Mila patiently waiting for her turn.

Mila and Jitterbug about to make their debut.

Fourth place in Trot Poles! (The fact that there were only 4 competitors in this event is beside the point.)

Third place in Barrels..

Sweet shot of Mila and the mare.

Weaving poles like a pro!

Movin' on up..to second place in Poles!

Way to go our little Equine Elf. One day, we may even own a horse... a very old and very tired one.

Meet Bella

So, we have a bunny.  Correction: Mila has said bunny.  We have had her for almost two weeks and she is still alive. So that's good.  It is a Dutch rabbit named Bella.  She is, in fact,  very pretty, in a fluffy  Oreo cookie sort of way.  The kids say she is very soft.  I wouldn't know, I don't touch animals as a general rule. . She lives in a cage in our garage.  Animals INSIDE my house? Not happenin' cap'n.
Although, I admit, I do have to get over my widespread aversion towards animals, especially since we want to own a farm one day, replete with chickens and goats et al.  Not an easy task, since I've been operating on the premise that 'if animals don't touch me and I don't absolutely have to touch them - then we are good' for the last 8 or 9 years.
Once, a friend asked me to watch her family's bird while she went out of town.  I said yes because I wanted to be nice and I knew I wouldn't have to touch the thing.
I guess I should work on that. Maybe I'll touch Bella tomorrow.  Maybe.

At any rate, with Bella here now we hope Mila will:
a. get a real taste of 'responsibility'
b. understand the ins and outs of animal care
c. not kill it.

Giddy'ap!

They ARE smiling... on the inside.

Ezra would make a great lil' jockey, wouldn't he?

Mila is happy despite the devastating news that Chance is in fact a boy.

Brave little people.

Busy busy week! I was sick for most of it but I rallied through just in time to take Mila on her scheduled trail ride at the Diamond D Ranch in Jacksonville. Fun was had by all ... except for Chance the lazy old horse Mila was riding. Right now, I am preparing Mila's cake for her birthday tomorrow, 5 already! Really? Anyway, check back soon for more photos of the big day's events.

"pinky" stew

Pinky, Mila's cute lil'white chick, wasn't laying any eggs. There are consequences in the Meloche household if one is not productive. I havn't been able to eat chicken since.

Pinky and Nibble

According to Aquinas the father is not only the principle of generation but also of upbringing and teaching. Consequently, I decided to give my children a hands-on 'instructio' in the art of poultryology - the discipline of raising chickens. The family constructed the hen house and the other day we went out to a local farm and Mila picked out these two fine chicks from the brood. She has subsequently named them Pinky (the large white one) and Nibbles (the brownish colored one). The kids are already quite attached to the chicks - the wake up every morn wanting to go feed them. It should be interesting to see their response in 8 months when they end up on the kitchen table coated in a Cajun rub. Some lessons can be painful...