Boothbay days 3 and 4

Daddy and Scout played explored together on day 3. They went to the Maine State aquarium and visited a train museum. Somehow, at the aquarium, Scout managed to jump into the touch and feel pool! She water and animals in the same spot....what could be better!!

This is the train museum...she just wanted to play with the goats while.

On our last day we spent the morning with our friend Gabe looking for seals. We paddled in the Damriscotta river out to the mouth. The seals were supposed to be hauled up on some ledges. No seals on the ledges but we had a curious follower for almost an hour!!! It kept popping its head up and looking at us....I think that was better then seeing them up on the ledges!

Scout napping in her kayak cradle.

There was a great park where we put in and spent a little time exploring before heading south.

Boothbay day 2

Day 2 Daddy and Scout went to visit the botanical garden. They had a ball!!! They spent 7 hours there playing in the children's garden. That is easy to do when you let life happen, led by the child. Exploring and discovering and enjoying every moment.

A sand box is always great fun where ever you are.

Each of the different areas were themed after a story written by a Maine children's author.

They had a fabulous day together and rejoined me for dinner.

Boothbay day 1

We were fortunate to have a nice trip to Boothbay ME. I went to an instructor meeting and Murph and Scout came along. We had an extra day on each end to spend together and Daddy and Scout had 2 days to spend alone together.

We left at 2am so Scout could sleep for the drive. She just can't sit still very long and it would be impossible to try to make the trip while she was awake. We made great time and arrives at 5:30. We stopped in a parking lot in town along side the water.

Lots of cool sights

"Hug, hug"

Always take time to smell the flowers

It rained off and on on the morning so we dressed to stay outside.

interesting art ...

and a children's garden....

right next to a used book store. The store was closed but there were books for a quarter on the porch. Scout is putting a quarter in the hole to buy a book for Zach...who was home taking care of Tonto (what an awesome brother!).

Looks like the weather is clearing, time for a paddle.

checking equipment

giving Daddy instructions

after a nice paddle in the harbour they take the boat out.

view from out room at the end of a great day

Farm happenings

Happy Labor Day! We will spend the day together with friends and we hope you will be doing the same!

The new Sussex lights are growing fast. We really like this breed (not that we don't love the orphingtons). They have a nice song that reminds us of shore birds, they are very friendly and inquisitive and leave beautiful feathers around the yard. They have not started laying yet, hopefully in the next month. Stand by for a photo of the new chickens and rooster...we had a chicken rescue in the midst of preparing for the hurricane.

We finally found a wheelbarrow just her size. Scout is trying to help push the big one and now she has her own! She likes to help with everything we do. We are always sure to take the extra time to let her help. She gets so much pride and feeling of being a part of the family. We feel this is very important for us to always do.

Surveying the property!

Sharing Tonto with friends. Tonto has gotten lots of attention this summer. Scout is riding more frequently and for longer now. She has a beautiful seat and only requires assistance staying on board occasionally. Tonto is such a good girl, she is making a great companion for Scout. I can't wait until we can go trail riding together...taking our schooling out into the forest for the day, what a dream!

The party girl ready to go

Exploring the giant fungus growing alongside the driveway

Now 20 months old, completely potty trained and talking well enough to tell you exactly what she wants. It is going by fast but we are enjoying the journey. We are so happy to have Zach here to enjoy it with us.

Art at the beach

When the weather gets hot what is better then art at the beach?!

Looking for treasures,

watching the snails crawl back into the sea,

Little piggies find a shell,

searching for treasures in the water,

The mosaic they made with their treasures!

She already loves the sea

Anticlimactic EARL

We spent all last week preparing for Earl. Getting the animals snugged in, rescuing a flock of chickens and their rooster and making them a snug hurricane proof shelter, picking up the yard of all things that can blow away, bracing the gutters, filling containers with emergency water, picking all the veggies from the garden, getting 140 bales of hay. We got it all done, with some family teamwork and the help of several of the "horse kids".  It was nice to be done and relaxing a couple hours before the hurricane.........then there was no hurricane!  Lots of rain and at least we got a lot of work done. The chicken coop is finally finished!