We're right in the middle of our September birthday celebrations here - always such a full and fun time. Mine first, then Adelaide's to follow in two days. As it goes, I can hardly believe she's turning eight years old. Eight! Oh, these years. Sigh. If each new year and each new adventure weren't so fabulous, I'd be absolutely heartbroken at what we're leaving behind. I guess that's the epitome of bittersweet. Growing up.
It's no secret to anyone that our girl is an animal lover, and each year her birthday wishes are of the living kind. She'll take whatever, honestly...believing she's got room in our pasture (we do not) and certainly room in her heart (she just might) for any and all kinds.
Last week, she got a little something special, an early birthday present in the form of two female goats.
Goats. There are two things we said we would never get when we moved to this farm - Steve declared No Pigs (which lasted approximately four weeks if I'm remembering correctly), and I said No Goats (hey, I made it three years). It's not that I have anything against them, per se. It's that I fear they're smarter than me. Or more clever. Or better at outwitting us. Or, let's get right down to it - I have great fear of animals on the wrong side of their fencing, and goats, well...isn't that precisely what goats live for? The other side of the fence? Yes, that. That's the reason I've been afraid of goats.
But, oh my girl Adelaide. She wanted goats right from the get go, and it's only amplified with time. So when some friends of ours were looking for a place to rehome theirs at just the right time this month when my girl could use a little extra animal lovin' and an extra project in the pasture? Well...goats it is. Nigerian Dwarf goats, to be precise. Year old girls, two of them - ready for pairing with a buckling in the hopes of kids and milk in the spring. This is and will be all Adelaide's gig, and she's risen to the ocassion with the excitement and hard work we're used to seeing from her (when it involves animals, of course. Washing dishes? Not her gig.). Play structures built for them, fencing shored up, pasture ready - she's on it. And she's named the the pair Buttercup and Bluebell.
Meet Buttercup...
And Bluebell (can you tell those eyes are blue? They're so pretty).
And my goodness, these goats! You know, they're kind of winning me over. They are as sweet as sweet can be. Charming, I dare say. So gentle with my littlest of babes, playful and fun, and just the right size to be maneageable by Adelaide who instantly fell right in love with them. Though that was no surprise at all. She loves them so.
