Chick Days at the Harwards!

We took the plunge on Saturday and decided to get some chicks! Addison has been BEGGING for some sort of pet and I will NOT do a dog right now. James is allergic to cats and the idea of a hamster does not appeal. (Hamsters take me back to my childhood - stinky and not as fun as anticipated!)

Chickens, however, are a useful pet. They provide eggs, are cute in the beginning, and will live outside in a very short while with minimum care. I'm hoping it will live up to my expectations as the perfect pet. :)

We currently have five chicks. The girls each have one egg layer and James purchased two Cornish hens to butcher in 1 1/2 months (James named them "Broil" and "Rotisserie"). We tried different breeds for the egg layers - a Rhode Island Red (Ella's, named Lianna), a Buff Orfington (Addie's, named Belle), and an Australorp (Ruby's). I'm thinking of going back and getting an "easter egg" hen when they get some in stock. It will lay either lt blue, pink, or yellow eggs! I think that'd be fun for the girls.

The chicks are already proving their worth as a great motivator for chores so they can be held!

Wish us luck in our new adventure!

Four Months

Little Ruby is already four-months-old. Time is just flying by. I am LOVING this stage. Just look at her joyful expression and how could I not?! I believe it was Addison who bestowed Rapunzel's crown on her. She is often the recipient of such loving attention.

Very studious with Daddy's glasses.
Addie & Ella tried them on and insisted everyone else do the same.

I know this picture is a bit washed out from the flash, but I loved it anyway.
Those big BLUE eyes are gorgeous and she looks like a doll. She's so beautiful.

If something else is going on she has to see it!
Accomplishments: Rolls over from tummy to back. Can you believe she already has stranger anxiety?! It seems like that didn't show up until eight months with the other girls.

We're looking forward to James getting back sometime in the early hours of the morning from a trip to Washington.  It's been five whole days!

Ella Bella

Our little Ella turned three this month! She has quite the personality. In a few words she's enthusiastic, loving, determined, smart, and sweet.

Ella & Addie LOVE to dig in the dirt.
This year they'll each get their own little section to plant and take care of what they wish.

I overheard Ella talking to Ruby in the car recently. This is what I heard in a sing-song voice (background info - she'd just told me she's thirsty), "Are you thirsty too Ruby? Mommy's got some milk in her "things" for you." I don't know why but that was just so funny to me. Addison always called them my "milks."

The birthday girl in her birthday dress with her gumball birthday cake. And YES, the cake is sliding off the board. It was hot in there and the frosting was melting!