Today I am linked with Verde Farm and Dandelion House for Farmgirl and Farm Friend Friday.
Farming is in my genes but being a farm girl is a role I fell into and certainly didn’t embrace it as a child, teenager or young adult. My family would tell you I mocked farm life more than praised the farm. Finally as an adult, I was able to learn the values I was raised in came as a direct result from who the people are that raised me and their roots, passion and life were on our family farm. By the time I was about 20 years old, the farm was my favorite place on earth and remains a sacred sanctuary to me.
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| Miss E’s first experience in the calving barn |
One area of the farm that taught me many life lessons were the hours I spent hours in the calving barn
with my Uncle Jim. There were many joys and struggles along with miracles of life…and loss in death. I had a strong foundation of understanding of farm animals and was very comfortable in the barn because Jim put me in there when I was just as young…or younger than my daughters are today.
So when Uncle Jim told Miss E, age 3, in late February that after he had a birthday, Auntie Kirsti and Uncle Robbie’s March birthdays were complete, she could make a visit to the calving barn and see calves be born there was anticipation from both Miss E and me.
Miss E’s excitement built over the first few weeks of March. When we called Uncle Robbie on his March 22 birthday, she proclaimed, “Now I can go to see the calves with Uncle Jim!’
I was equally excited for her adventure. Certainly Miss E lives in the middle of the prairie next to a neighbor’s pasture full of cows and calves, she is going to have some cowgirl in her. She’ll be showing cattle with the local 4H club at our Tri-County fair in a just a few years…I thought.
Not until Uncle Jim captured the above pictures last Saturday morning while I was at our son’s basketball tournament did I realize my girls might not be natural cowgirls.
In the afternoon, Miss E, Miss A, age 21 months today, Uncle Jim, my sister known as “Auntie” Kirsti and I went back to the barn.
From early morning until supper time, 10 baby calves were born. It was an active and happening place in the barn.
Miss E gained some comfort with the cows. She thought the calves were “too wet” but overall was not too enthused. As you can see in her face, there wasn’t a lot of cowgirl love from her in the barn.
And despite the cuteness of the fresh calves, Miss A cried and shouted “Get me out. Go now. Now. Out!”
Miss A stopped bellowing louder than the cows and calves for a few pictures with me.
The girls will be back in the barn again…and again whether they like or love it. And hopefully they’ll appreciate the foundation and understanding they gained from being exposed to real life on the farm…
especially when coming in the house from real life on the farm includes plenty of Great-Grandma Nola’s homemade brownies.
We can all be farm girls with a little bribing with brownies!
So cute. I can imagine how terrifying that can be… I remember when I was about 4 or 5 witnessing the farmer bring out the bull to breed one of the dairy cows. I was wide-eyed and a bit traumatized I think – especially when the bull cut his foot getting in and out of the stantion. Seemed like it was all a bit too violent for me…
That’s too funny! I love the pics of your daughters’ expressions.
I’m visiting from Farm Friend Friday.
The pics are great and it is really funny indeed. lately we have some kids come over with their parents to buy calves for 4H and first they are all scared, holding their nose or ears but mostly within 5 minutes they are so awed by all our cows AND baby calves they just enjoy!
Thanks and WELCOME TO THE REAL FARMWIVES GANG!!!
Leontien
You have such a cute little family. I love hearing stories about living in a farm ’cause my family has always lived in the city.
♥
Grace
http://www.helloagainvintage.blogspot.com
Great to see they are getting some early farm exposure!
Those expressions are priceless!
Adorable!
It’s so wonderful for children to have the experience of animals and nature. It’s what makes life rich!
happy day!
Bless her heart! She’ll be so much more comfortable after a few more springs of new calves under her belt!
Thanks for your entry!
Deb
I wasn’t born and raised on a farm, and now I’m a real farmer. There’s a long time before they have to love it. The pictures of their first trip to the calving barn are precious!
@Marcia:
I agree. Children should be able to witness the beauty of nature.Buy Desserts
With regular exposure to the farm animals, they’ll soon find their inner cowgirl! A big cow can be scary to a little girl. I remember being a little afraid at first but after spending every day with the cows and calves I soon grew to love them. Especially the baby calves. I love visiting my family’s farm during calving!
Yea it’s really a unique farming blog which show a cute pics for an animals and your baby is also cute.