But no rain on me

After a playful morning, making a beach in the bedroom, a river from bottle tops including 2 frogs, and the train set out, we put on our waterproofs and headed off to Gaston farm again.

It is well known in Early Years settings that there is no inappropriate weather, just inappropriate clothing, having said that we managed to avoid all the showers and hail stones today only really making use of our wellies on the muddy farm. Having no food in the house ment a rare treat of eating out- hot dogs and burgers. 



Plum had managed a happy transfer from car seat to sling and slept for 2 1/2 hours giving me lots of time with the boys. Having taken Pumpkin in the Easter holidays and comparing it to now I wonder why I ever did.




It was beautifully quiet and the boys got to ask as many questions as they could think off:
Why do those ones have feathers?
Why are they sleeping?
What is the lamp for?
Why is he sitting in the food?
Where are their wings?
How did they get here?
Where did they come from?
Where's your crook?

And the staff were friendly and helpful and answered all their questions. Having fewer people there also meant that Bean was able to take his time when handling the animals and return to try again until he felt comfortable enough to do it himself. Having this freedom and space to do things in his own time is so important and not to feel rushed or pressurised allows him to feel relaxed and not stressed about the new things he is doing. He succeeds when he sets his own challenges and works towards achieving them in his own controlled steps. Just one more reason I like home ed. He held a day old chick, a duckling and an older chick. Pumpkin as usual jumps in feet first and even managed to hold a very wriggly lamb on his own.
We also saw a lamb being born and enjoyed two tractor rides. We waved at daddy from the views from the tractor. Not sure if he was at his office in Chichester or Bognor so we waved at both!

Little Boy Blue

I've titled this post after Pumpkin insisted he wore everything in blue today, from the toppest top to his bottomist bottom! He also choose the t-shirt I picked up in a charity shop yesterday with a picture of a cow on it saying 'moo!' Very topical.

We went to Gaston Farm today. A real farm, with real farm land, real animals and a real shepherd. Pumpkin thoroughly enjoyed handling chicks, ducklings and a lamb. Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the lamb as i had to help him hold it it was so big, it was nearly as big as him! We saw three lambs being born, two assissted by the shepherd, all well. Mrs Shepherd told us they have over 1000 lambs during the season and Mr Shepherd works 22 hours a day to ensure as many as possible survive. And i thought i was tired! I'm not sure how much Pumpkin took in but I thought it was pretty amazing. 
They also have the obligatory tractor ride but at no extra cost and you get to see the beautiful views that Slindin has. Pumpkin was very disappointed to be leaving, coupled with some tiredness led to a few tears. We finally got to the car only to discover I couldn't open the boot so I had to squeeze the buggy in the back. I should have realised it was a sign of things to come as the engine didn't start...flat battery. Fortunately being on a farm we managed to find a knight in shining armour with some jump leads. This all took less than 15 minutes and we were on our way.

We took Plum to be weighed at the clinic. She now comes in at 5kg 54 (12lb 3) and we finally met up with our new friends N and Z who we haven't seen since our unfortunate admission into hospital all those weeks ago.

Pumpkin's report on his farm experience included "the lamb came out the bottom," "it was red, not jam," and "the lady swung it [the lamb] about." Obviously took in more than I realised.

And for those who are wondering why there is no mention of Bean, he is having a sleepover at grandma and pop's house. Home tomorrow.