The Event ~ One Kid at a Time!

So it's been awhile since I've posted.  I keep racking my brain for something to journal about, but am at a loss.  But we did get the opportunity to have a couple of the grandkids come stay for a week ~ one kid at a time.  To thoroughly enjoy our time with them, and because Tim and I are both "at work", we can only take one grand child at a time.  Not that we don't enjoy all of them at any given one time, but the "one-on-one" time is so special for both Tim and I to enjoy.  Mostly the kids go with Tim during the days, simply because he is around the farm and on the go and they can go with him wherever.

Jakob spent a week with us, catching a ride out west with some family friends.  He was a big help to Grandpa, irrigating, helping to bring in the big hay bales by driving the jeep in and out of the fields.  Grandpa tried to teach him how to drive tractor and rake, but never got to the point of letting him go on his own.  A little more practice needed!  We enjoyed dairy queen blizzards a couple times, and a trip to the fair for fair food. We hope our grandkids keep enjoying coming to the farm, helping out a little and learning more life skills that farm life has to offer.  He would still be here if he didn't need to go home to start his fall football practice.   Jakob will turn 13 next month ~ Sept 14.  A teenager!  

So a quick early morning trip to meet Janel in Brady was scheduled to get Jakob back home and bring Mathilda back with me.  She will be here a week until the whole famiily comes out for a Stricker family picnic.  Mattie has enjoyed the two kittens, keeping them by her side continuously and letting them sleep in her bed each night.  They are so cute and cuddly  - the kittens, but Mattie is cute and cuddly too!

We have noticed Mathilda eats like a horse!  That surprises both Tim and I, they way she puts away the food!   She loves to parade around in Alexis' old prom dress; and then dress the cowgirl part to go with Grandpa, in her boots, western shirt, hat and jeans!  The hillbilly teeth have always put a fun smile on all!

Over the weekend we did find time to bake zuchinni bread together.   She enjoys being a big help in the kitchen. 

Mathilda will be eight in two weeks, Aug 22. 

We must enjoy the grandkids as much as we can because they grow up so fast, and am sure as they get older spending time with Grandpa and Grandma will not be high on their "want" list as their desires and schedules mature and change.   But the memories will always be imprinted on their minds and hearts.  Nothing will erase the memories. 

One thing that hasn't changed a whole lot with kids on the farm, is that it still seems to be all work and no play.  It seems like we have always worked, worked, worked on the farm when our kids were little and often they worked right along beside us.  Play was far and little in between.  We just keep working with the grandkids by our side and play is far and little in between.  Our own kids all have fine, strong work ethics I'm sure due to learning about hard work as a child.  So I trust that the concept is not all bad!   We promise we won't take advantage of our grandchildren and abuse the "child labor laws"!!   We love our grandchildren and spending time with them "one kid at a time" is an event to be enjoyed and cherished!