As hoped we made it to the local dairy for a visit with the animals.
The main draw of our visits is always a chance for the kids to test their hands at milking. We time our visit accordingly and arrived just in the time for the late afternoon milking.
Amalia had last minute cold feet (“I don’t like milk so why would I touch it from a cow?”) but Elizabeth is always eager to get in there. I tried milking during our last visit and it was a lot of fun. I’d always been curious what it would be like and it was just as I’d imagined.
I’ve mentioned before how we dream of homesteading, growing our own food and living a more sustainable life. We enjoy these visits as an opportunity to take closer look at what that reality means and explore what we imagine it to mean for us. We usually walk away repeating our desire to stick to growing food not raising livestock (apart from some laying hens) but then we wonder…maybe a couple of sheep…or a sweet jersey cow? But that is then and this is now…for now we enjoy practicing our green thumbs in our veggie garden and visiting the animals at the dairy farm.
Just look at that sweet tail.
This sweet little calf was so precious.
We watched the cows wander back to their field from the milking barn.
But in this cage was where the small people had the most fun…
…visiting the very understanding rabbits.
They were thrilled when they took the offered grass.
And squealed with delight when they nibbled at little fingers.
Maybe that someday farm of ours will have to include some rabbits.
Maybe our “someday farms” will be near to each other Rachel! We need a dairy cow just to match the amount of milk that boy of mine drinks!
My husband grew up with a milk cow and I have been trying to find one for our place. I live on the coast and they just aren’t around here anymore. I have a line on one so I’ll keep you posted. If we get her, you can come and milk anytime!
Oh, what a great opportunity you’re giving your kids! I grew up around cows and horses, goats and sheep, but I’ve never milked a cow. I’ve always wondered what that would be like.
Those bunnies are the sweetest!
Someday, Rachel I know you’ll have your farm!
I’m going to begin a cardigan for Asa soon- and the shape is similar to your wonder years one (it’s the mustard one I made Ezri)- and I thought: “can’t I just add stripes to the top. . .?” So that’s what I’m going to try!
<3
Some day… dreams are such a wonderful thing. We have some of our own.
Your kids definitely seem up for it; good practise!
I think you will have your homestead and it will have four legged animals! I love thinking of all the possibilities that could lie ahead in life.
I bet the smell associated with the pig with the sweet little tail was not so sweet! Haha I adore the photo of the S’s excitement!
Hello! A new follower from Yarn along – lovely to meet you! We are in Australia. Love your photo’s and I am very interested to learn more of your homeschooling journey as I begin to approach ours!
Rach x