Happy 4th to H...

H's birthday is not quite here yet, but we celebrated it last Friday with family and friends at home with a Pony Party for our horse crazy girl, couldn't have asked for a more perfect day.

 Grandma & Aunt C made amazing cupcakes...

 Big candy horses, and mini farm animals too...

 Oxygen deprived fun blowing up balloons for party prep...

 The view from outside as balloons piled up...

 H helps stuff the rainbow zebra pinata with candy...

 Next time will make flap larger, or avoid lollipops.  :)

 In the end they all left with plenty of candy anyway...

 H had a pony in her own yard, just as she wished.

 We think she enjoyed it.

 The mini petting zoo, almost a bigger draw than the pony...

 Clothespin horse craft, surprisingly popular with the kids...

 We never made it to Pin the Tail on the Donkey or horseshoe toss games but the kids were generally smiling which was the main goal, and H had a great day shared with good friends.

Friends helped us to provide extra seating and tables for our many guests.  Family helped out a ton to pull this together.  With their help we were able to offer super fun hand made cupcakes, prep the craft, clean up the neglected yard to make a safe environment for our small guests, decorate, and complete our gate.  It was certainly a week of hard labor for them, but we really did appreciate it, and H had a truly amazing day.  :)

Spring Farm Day...

Frying Pan Park, 05.12.12...

 Goats... In hand a tiny alpaca doll from Capital Alpacas...

 H milking a real cow, real milk...

 Sheep shearing demonstration...

 A man with udders...

 H's reaction to man with udders...

 H making one of many crafts, wearing the previous craft...

 Corn...

 H milking a faux cow, for water...

 H spinning wool to make a bracelet...

 Corn cob toss...

 Sheep replica lassoing activity...

 Old school laundry...

 Churning (and eating) butter...

 I'd like to learn to spin, too...

 H seems to be a natural, maybe she will teach me.  :)

 Working sheepdog demonstration...

Frying Pan 05.15.12, with J & E...

 Chickens...

Spring Farm Day props were still out for inquisitive kids to explore...

Visiting...

While up north we managed to get a little visiting in too, despite the short time span.  H loved seeing everyone, and of course all the animals too.

Shelling corn to feed the chickens with Grandpa...

"Fixing" the tractor...

Enjoying Grandpa's pets...

This is some bullshirt...  ;)

One of this spring's babies, this one they call "Seven"...

H's fave on the right, she calls it "Chocolate Eyes"...

Every farm seems to have a set of peacocks...

 H can't wait to get a tail feather from the boy...

 Feeding Mojo...

Holding hatchlings... 

 Cousins...

 I didn't take this series of photos...

 And I'm not exactly sure what was going on...

 But they did seem to be having fun...

 I'm pretty sure H must have started it somehow...  :)

 Synchronized stepping...

 Angry faces...

Smiley faces...

 Turning wood on the lathe, Grandpa's art...

 Visiting with a neighbor's horse...

Non sequitur, but I had to put it up here...

The highlight of the drive both ways, PA's "Mommy & Me Restroom", available on the tollway, this one in New Stanton, PA.  One of the most family friendly concepts I can imagine, finally moms can use the restroom without holding multiple children on lap during.  The potty trained crowd has their own mini size toilet to enjoy (and H DID enjoy it, a cute scalloped seat, and no dangling feet!), and there is even a wall socket in between the two for strapping in your infant.  I'm not personally sure I'd use that feature, but good to have in case of emergency.  :)

Goodbye Great Grandpa...

At the end of April we mourned the passing of the eldest of our line, just as we mourned the passing of one of the youngest last year.  This time it had a much different tone, the funeral felt like a celebration of a life well lived, nearly 94 years, the overwhelming majority of that spent healthier than most can hope for.  I believe the officiator said he was preceded by only 3, despite his impressive age spanning the better part of a century, lost before him were 2 of his own siblings, and a great grandson.  I remember thinking that this was quite amazing, and that this family has been so fortunate to have lost so few along the way.  There were many smiles and memories shared, as it should be, I did not know him well but enjoyed the time I spent with him (and felt fortunate to have had that opportunity earlier this year), and I will remember him as a man who delighted in his family and who would happily have listened all afternoon to my daughter spin her elaborate tales over the dinner table, all smiles.

 Kisses goodbye.

 H & Uncle S.

 B, Great Grandma, & H.