Visiting the Farm

Last weekend, after church, we took the kids to a farm in O'Fallon.  It is an actual "working" farm.  No fancy displays, petting zoos, or markets, just a real farm.  In the fall, the owners create a corn maze, give tractor rides, and just let people come see their animals.  They sell fresh farm eggs all year, and give tours to boy/girl scouts.

The kids absolutely LOVE to see all the animals that live around the farm.  Believe it or not, the HUGE amount of chickens is what stole most of the kid's spotlight!  Taylor constantly tried to
"pet" one, always getting within a few tiny inches and then it would scurry away...frustrating!  Blake ran after then to catch one. (I guarantee he wouldn't have known what to do with it if he caught it!) And worst of all....Billy kept trying to catch one "just so the kids could touch it", yeah right, he was like a little kid that's been let loose on the farm!  The only problem is that I couldn't send him back to the car for a "time-out", even though I threatened to!  He DID actually catch a chicken, BUT all the other "hundred" chickens started to flock him to get to the chicken he was holding on to...I guess they thought it was a "weak" one...yikes! 

We totally got lost (for real) in the corn maze and ended up cutting through to get out...cheaters, I know!  We got to pet lots of other animals there including, dogs, cats with their kittens, sheep, goats, and a horse.  The kids loved to play on the home-made jungle gym.  It was alot of fun! 

I have to say, for a moment, I kinda wished we lived back out in the country.  I do miss having our own land to do what we want with, but I am soooo used to the conveniences of living near the city.  Thank you farm, for being there when we want to visit!



Of course, she has to pet the unhappiest animal there...



coming through!





Come here, shicken!!!!

I'm gonna get you, chicken!

Let me catch you so I can prove to the kids I can do it!!!

Petting the sheep

entering the maze...

kinda lost in the maze

corn stalk sword fight

the exchange of sacred corn to bribe the chickens!

My sweeties!!!

Can we keep him, Mommy????      no

Taylor visits Rainbow Land

So, Wednesday was the day that we had to take Taylor to the Children's Hospital. I've never been there and was nervous. She has been dealing with G.I. problems for a long time and her pediatrician said that there was a chance the specialist would admit her and administer Go-Lite colon cleanse via a feeding tube down her nose to do testing!!! I didn't want that, but I do want to help her get her tummy troubles fixed...so, here we are.

As we pulled up to the hospital, we were greeted by animal statues and rainbow colors. The excitement in Taylor's eyes, just made me sad. Do they really think that some cool scenery and bright colors can help a child be okay with having to go the hospital...YES!! And the same was true with Taylor, as we entered the hospital she exclaims, "Yay! This place is just butyful!".

We were worried that she might have a blockage or malfunction of her lower bowel, but after seeing the specialist, he decided that he would do blood work before committing to an invasive round of testing on her poor little body. THANKS GOD. She could be allergic to glutens or just have a slow colon causing constipation. Hopefully something that can be fixed without surgery. We were very happy with the doctor, he was informative and thorough. She did have to have blood drawn and it did hurt. The nurse had to search for a vein in her little arm. She cried....alot. But even as "traumatized" as she was afterward, she still stopped crying just long enough to see the giant train overhead, as it steamed it's way around the room and down the hall. I guess all the neat-o stuff does help. Although she did start crying again as we walked to the car and most of the way home...she was okay for the moment under the train.

Actually, Billy and I wanted to cry too...just to think...we are bringing our daughter here for some tests, but there are children here with far worse problems than what we are dealing with. Far worse. So, even if just for the moment, the pretty colors make a child feel better,  it still just breaks a parent's heart, knowing that every patient here is someones child. It makes us THANK GOD for the many blessings we have in our lives and pray for the children and families that have to visit this beautifully colored place.