New Chicks and RIP Buffy

Our chicks were born and shipped on Wednesday so we had to get their brooder all ready.  Ella made a sign that said, "Welcome Home Chickens"...

They took less than 24 hours to get here, and since I'm trial, Gary had to take the day off to pick them up and care for them (which is funny since he is not into the whole chicken thing!)...

So it should be a happy day, but the buff orpington (named Buffy) seemed weak since she arrived and wouldn't eat or drink.  I was forcing her to drink from a dropper but couldn't get her to eat.  We assumed she was stressed from the travel, but all the other chicks were great, eating a ton, drinking walking all around.  She kept to herself like in this photo...

So I put her in her own box so the others wouldn't pick on her...

But this morning, she was gasping for air.  I just held her and she kind of jumped out of my hands so I put her back in her box, and she stretched her legs out and stopped breathing.  I cried!  I'm SO sad.  Of course, she was Ella's favorite so the first thing Ella asked was, "where is Buffy?"  We told her that she is at the doctor's office because her tummy hurts, and we're going to try and replace her today because I think the feed stores carry that breed.  Even Rylee loved her!

I knew that it's not uncommon for a chick or two to die upon shipping, but I didn't think I'd be so sad!  Maybe because I was taking so much care of her, holding her, feeding her, etc.  RIP Buffy!

Now on the other hand, one of our Easter Eggers, who Ella named Elsa, is a total b*tch!  She picks on everyone, won't let anyone sleep if she's not sleeping- definitely the alpha.  I put her in timeout sometimes. ;)

Their names are Elsa, Anna, Goldie, Lacey and Pepper.  And hopefully another Buffy will surface today before Ella gets home from school.  I'll post a photo with which is which later.  Once I'm out of mourning!

The rest of the Weekend

Our neighbors got a waterslide bounce house so the kids (and Gary!) had fun sliding...

Then a little pool time...

On Sunday, we had our Farewell Potluck for preschool- Ella has been going to this school since 18 months, and I am SO sad she is leaving.  They are like family to each other!  I know I'm biased, but I really feel like GSP has the sweetest kids (and best parents!) of any preschool!  The kids had a BLAST!

Everett and his BFF from school, Rowan (both of their big sibs are in the same class)...

And to prove how much fun the kids had...

Happy 4th of July 2014!

I think this was my favorite July 4th yet...it reminded me so much of how we spent this holiday as a kid!  First, we took the kids to a fireworks stand, which I haven't done in years, and I was so excited to do this with them because I vividly remember doing this with my parents growing up.  We finally live in a city that allows fireworks!!!

Then I decorated the house and yards...

I LOVE bunting, and I finally have a fence to put it on!  Then I put mini flags all along the walkway...

Made a quick and easy wreath for the front door...

And added some red, white and blue stars to the entry flowers, and a dish of star bubble necklaces for the kids to take as they entered...

Then the fun began...lots of playing, bouncing in the bounce house, running on the slip n slide and swinging...

Next up...sparklers!  We even let Everett do them...

Time for fireworks and blasting music in front of the house!

And we ended the night with a little daddy daughter dancing (Ella and Gary are on the left)- my favorite photo of the entire day...

By the way, I updated my house blog with photos of the master bedroom and bathroom!!!!!

Early Summer

No fun vacations, but we're definitely keeping busy around here!  We visited a local feed store to buy some supplies and see what chicken breeds they had...

Family playdates with old friends...

Celebrating grandma's birthday at Benihana, where Everett spent much of the night like this...

Everett is known for having a "gun"- the kid can throw the ball faster, farther and harder than I can!  So he practiced while we waited for our table...

We've had LOTS of birthday parties (like up to 3 a weekend)!  This is one of Ella's very best friends from school...

We even fit in a date night, which was a fabulous five course meal with wine pairings- it was WONDERFUL!

And I'm finally getting a new car- mine has almost 100,000 miles!!!  So while we were ordering the car, the kids were doing this...

Chickens are Coming! Our Coop

After hours (days, really) of research regarding the coop, I finally chose and ordered one, which meant that I could order the chickens!  I went WAY over-budget on the coop, but I didn't want Gary to have to make one, and it's hard to find pre-fab ones that are big enough.  Most of them say they are for 3-4 or even 4-6 chickens, but after reading tons of reviews and forums, apparently, they are really only good for 1-2 chickens, and if you don't have enough space in the coop and run, the chickens will peck at each other.  Gary will still likely have to expand the run, even though it's allegedly big enough for 6-10 chickens!

I think I'm going to paint it white with a navy door so it matches our house- hee hee!

I ordered the chickens from Meyer Hatchery, which has a fabulous reputation.  I ended up with a Barred Plymouth Rock, a Red Star/Golden Buff, a Buff Orpington, a Silver Laced Wyandotte and two Easter Eggers (want to make sure I get enough of those beautiful blue/green eggs!).

They will arrive the week of July 10th so open invitation to come hold our baby chicks!  We want to make sure they get lots of handling so they are friendly adults. :)

Father's Day Weekend

Ella had her last day of preschool and Everett his last day of infant/toddler room on June 13, 2014...

We celebrated grandma and grammy's birthdays, which are both on the same day AND on Father's Day this year!

I don't know if I've ever mentioned Everett's love of rice, but the kid loves rice.  We had a catering tray of rice leftover from Father's Day, which I had on the island to serve for dinner, but when I turned around, this is what Everett was doing...

Yup.  He's eating cold rice directly out of the tray with a SERVING SPOON.

Backyard Chickens!

That's right peeps (you like that?), we are getting us some backyard chickens!  This urban family is going country!!

It all started when I saw Food, Inc. a few years ago.  I was disgusted and wanted chickens then, but we lived in our old tract home super close to our neighbors and with a small backyard.  So I started buying organic, free range eggs.  But then I learned that even alleged "certified organic" eggs still often come from poorly treated chickens, as there is not enough regulation.

As soon as we moved into the new house with our big backyard (big for CA standards!), I wanted two things in my backyard...an herb/vegetable garden and my own chickens.  Gary and the kids just planted our garden last Sunday (I need to post pics), which was my first priority, so on Sunday night, my chicken research frenzy began!

After tons of research, I think it's an even better idea than I originally thought.  Fresh eggs have less cholesterol and significantly more nutrients than store bought eggs.  Chickens are less work than a cat or dog.  Chickens eat all the "bad" bugs- they are a natural bug repellant!  They also eat weeds and basically anything else so you can give them, including ALL your table scraps- no more wasted food!!  We will get brown, cream and blue/green eggs!  And the best part of all, the educational aspects are priceless.  I can't wait to show the kids where our food comes from, collect eggs with them every morning, give them some responsibility by helping clean the coop, etc.

I think I've decided on the breeds that I want.  My first priority is personality- I want docile breeds that are kid-friendly and most likely to want to cuddle! ;)  My second priority is egg production- obviously I want the most eggs possible (did you know that even the highest producers typically only lay 4-5 eggs a week, and that chickens stop producing eggs completely in winter?!).  My third priority is egg color- I want a pretty egg basket!  And my last priority is what the chicken looks like. :)

Red Star or Golden Buff (it's a Sexlink breed called by different names)

Ameraucana (they lay green, blue or pink eggs!)

Australorp (huge eggs producers and said to be "sweet and shy")

Easter Egger (that's the real name- they also produce blue or green eggs)

Orpington (not sure about this one- not one of the top producers but said to be very kid-friendly)

Barred Plymouth Rock (my favorite looks-wise- I love the pattern!)

Now I just need to convince Gary to build me a fancy chicken coop!!!!