It's fun to read through the variety in everyone's day! I've already been out to do the milking and now it's coffee time :) Most of today I will be sewing like a mad woman finishing up the rest of the new coffee cuffs for the craft show I am doing locally tomorrow. I've got about 60 more to finish. Then I need to get change, do inventory, and pack for the show. Tonight, we need to pull blood from the new goat to send off for a biosecurity screen, and while we are at it, pull blood from another doe to check and see if she's pregnant. We really should get lights on the tree, maybe after kiddos are in bed. Oh, I need to print a picture of DD's new English Lop rabbit and wrap it, so she can open it (early Christmas present), since they are going to pick it up tomorrow.

My husband is a teacher in a local public elementary. Starting last year (?), all the schools in our area from K on up (even the CC), do Run, Hide, Fight training/drills for active shooter drills. Shelter in place is used for specific things, but not active shooter. I believe they also do earthquake and fire drills. I've never been so scared in my life as the time I got a text from him letting me know they were in a full, active lockdown and he didn't know why. That's all I heard until it was all over. Turns out a suspect in an armed robbery had fled towards the school, and it all ended up fine. It was scary during that couple hours though.

Sad, scary, and sickening. Ugh, I wish it didn't ever come to this. My dh is a teacher at a public elem. in WA. We live about 30 minutes from this school. So sad, so close to home. (It's always sad, and hard to deal with, but close to home is a little extra tough to swallow. I think because it makes it feel more real?)

Just finished my first project! Wool longies for my 17 month old. I used this pattern: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/itchy-fingers-longies-pattern. I took a class at a really cool little yarn shop in Montana this summer and left there able to cast on, knit, purl, and do garter, stockinette, and 2X2 rib on single point needles. To complete this project I taught myself how to make a gauge swatch, knit in the round on circular and double points, do short rows, the kitchener stitch, change yarn, increase to make a gusset, seed stitch and bind off in pattern. I am pleased with how they turned out, especially since they FIT!

Our 3 year old male weimaraner's neck measures 17"

Oh so so true. #2 and #3 were both reflux babies...makes for a long year. Good thing they're cute

Nope, not the only one. Although, I think I'm weird, because I don't mind. The older two do spend the occasional night at Grammy and Grandpa's house, but then dh and I are just home with the baby.

Thanks for all of your suggestions! We are going to go with...clothes. Lame, but really, we are in a de-cluttering phase, and we have so much already...Her favorite things to do are empty the kid dishes drawer, and empty the kitchen towels cabinet. Those keep her busy much of the day, haha. I do plant to make some peg dolls for all the kids, and I will be making some of the biggest size for her. They won't be done in time for her birthday, but she has no idea what a birthday is. Thanks again!

Thanks. We have one, lol. She hasn't used it yet...I'm not sure she's tall enough. Good idea though, thanks!

I have a 6.5 yr old girl, and 4 yr old boy, and baby girl is turning 1 this week. I am drawing a complete blank on what to get her! For the other two, we got them their first custom waldorf doll at 1, but Baby got hers at Christmas, since she already liked the olders' dolls. Clothes are an option, but I'd like to get her a little something else too. We try to stick to stuff that will last, quality, etc. We have several Melissa and Doug things, we have lots of little people, lots of stackers, blocks, we have a ridiculous number of board books, etc. You know, we are a typical family of multiple kids with both genders, and we've saved the stuff we like for the youngest. What are some of your favorite things for one year olds? Amazon is great, we are also local to toysrus, and target. We do have some small local toy shops as well.

Ack! Sorry for not getting back to this sooner. Work and life is crazy right now. We raise Nigerian Dwarf goats. Our current herd is 4 milkers (adult does), 1 pregnant doe, 2 junior does (growing babies), and 2 adult breeding bucks. How much trouble? Well, ours are pretty mellow. They can throw you for a loop sometimes, of course, and those loops can be major. Left alone? Well..they don't like to drink dirty water, predators can be an issue, and they can get into trouble when bored. I would be very uncomfy with the idea of not having eyes on them at least once a day. We have hands on ours twice a day (due to milking) at minimum. They can be kept in cattle panel pens. That's what we are using for our boys currently. The smaller breeds can get through those openings though, nearly until they are full grown. All of them can get their heads through, so could get stuck if they have horns. Additionally, be aware that lots of predators could get through too. Depending on your area, that may or may not be an issue. Pygmys and nigerians are the two small breeds. Full grown, they are about the size of a labrador. A healthy adult should not be *easy* to carry (50lbs+), but *can* be lifted/carried when need be. Babies are the easiest to tame. Bottle-babies in particular. They often end up *too friendly* for some people's liking. Adults can be brought around, depends on the individual, and how much time you put in. We have one doe that was wild as a March hare when we brought her home. Three years later (and three lactations; being milking 2x/day for the better part of 8 months a year), she tolerates our presence. She doesn't come up for attention/scratches, and prefers not to be "caught", but she will walk nicely to the milk stand and back, and stands perfectly for milking and other hands on chores (hoof-trimming, shots, etc). They will eat lots of brush/browse, maybe some grass. Sheep make better lawn mowers. Goats eat more like deer (trees, brush, etc). They will probably need some bailed hay in the winter, depending on your weather/pasture condition. If they are not producing anything (no pregnancy, no milk, no breeding), they shouldn't need grain-type rations. They do need a good quality loose mineral, and fresh water. They do hate the rain. Generally they fear they are made out of cotton candy and will melt if they get wet. It is important that they have a structure (barn, large dog house) to get out of the weather. I would caution against staking a goat. They are basically steak on a rope for any passing critter. They are a prey animal, and in many areas, local dogs will be your biggest predator issue. Even small dogs can do scary, serious damage to a goat. Hope that helps!

We raise goats for dairy purposes (as well as 4H/show). Advice? is really broad, but if you have any specific questions, I'd be glad to try and answer them! We love our goaties, they are fun, sweet and very entertaining!

I am not an April Fool's Day fan, and luckily my kids are little enough that they don't really know what it is :) Around here, it's DS's birthday, this year he is 4!

This is from Seattle Children's: "Rectal, Ear or Temporal Artery (TA) temperature: 100.4° F (38.0° C) or higher Oral or Pacifier temperature: 100° F (37.8° C) or higher Under the arm (Axillary or armpit) temperature: 99° F (37.2° C) or higher" I think, technically, a fever is defined by the actual temp, not the degrees above your start point. However, personally, I do always mention to the kids' (or my) doc that we generally run cool. I am more concerned about a 99.x, or 100.x than most people, because all three kids and I run in the 97s (low 97s for me). We are all so consistent, that a noticeable deviation into the "low-grade" fever range is significant (not serious necessarily). In practice, it doesn't really matter, for us, because I don't treat a fever until much higher than that, and it's usually behavior-based. I will sometimes give a fever reducer at night, before bed, if it's pushing 101 ish, or higher, as there is a history of spiking a very high temp (104+) overnight, in our family. Otherwise, I monitor it, and let the fever do its job.

My mom and dad are hosting, as they usually do. They are doing homemade chile verde, and lots of snacks. I am bringing a fancied up crown jewel cake and cupcakes in the appropriate color scheme (blue and green, of course!). I am not really a football fan, but being in the Seattle area, it's fun that the local team made it!