Morning Off Schedule

But it's exciting!  My culture order from NE CheeseMaking Supply arrived this morning before I took my son to preschool.  I quickly read the directions for chevre and realized I could start that as soon as I got back, as well as a qt of buttermilk.  So-the 5 quarts needed for both are warming to the proper temps and then I'll add the starter culture.  In my morning milking I acquired another 2 and a half quarts so my net change in milk quantity is just 2 and a half quarts.

I was getting a bit frazzled when my tummy growled and I realized I hadn't eaten breakfast yet, so I whipped something up and sat down here to read my friends' blogs.  Then it hit me-except for the butter on the toast, everything was homemade or purchased locally.  The ham came from a hlaf hog we bought from a local grower, toast from homemade bread, with butter and homemade peach jam.  I should be drinking another glass of fresh milk too...

I need to go get the kitchen cleaned before it's time to pick up kiddos at preschool.  It's my day to have 2 extras and we go to the park for a while, so I need to have water and snacks ready too.  Check back Friday for results of my first cheesemaking attempt...

Disaster Turned to Play Time

So this normally "no fun" mom finally just let go and enjoyed the moment for what it was-a chance to play with my son and have a good time. 

I've been having problems with a hard water residue being deposited on my dishes while in the dishwasher and wondered if it might be my homemade dish powder, so I put a little liquid (not meant for dishwasher) soap in the dispenser and ran it.  We started noticing the bubbles shortly after and just used it as an opportunity to clean the floor.  Once the load was done I opened the door to asses the damage and the bottom had about a six inch layer of suds!  I took the bottom rack out and grabbed a big load of bubbles and blew them at my son, who decided it was like snow and we had a "snowball" fight in the kitchen!  He loved it and I didn't mind that we were making a mess!  Afterwards he helped me clean up without even being asked!  I'll have to try that approach again...  I was going to take some pictures, but that would have ended the moment.

Reading with My Son

I love books.  My husband loves books.  So it seems natural that our son likes books-until you know that he's our foster son and there's no biological reason for it.  Could be that he sees us read and wants to do what we do, could just be a natural love of books.  He's all boy when it comes to high speed energy, so it amazes me when I see him grab a few books and sit down to "read" them.  Yes, he's just 4 and can't read the words, but he knows the story(ies).  He's recently been demonstrating how well he knows these stories by "reading" the books to me.  It started with Dr Seuss' In a People House.  I read it to him pointing to the pictures as I said the words.  I'm not sure how many times I read it before he was reading it to me, but it wasn't more than 3.  Now I read the black words and he reads the red words (or maybe it's the other way around).  I found more books at the library that were like it, and sure enough, he could hear the story once and then tell it back to me.  I'm sure the pictures help him remember what to say, but I think his memory is amazing.  Tonight I read The Runaway Bunny for about the third time this week, but I didn't read it.  First, we got out Good Night Moon and compared the pictures in the two books (same author, same artist).  Then I opened it and he started reading.  I don't even think I prompted him.  He can tell the story almost word for word already.  I was thinking about recording him reading it to have for future.  Yes, my son is a genius!  wink wink

Ya Just Never Know...

Ya Just Never Know...what to expect in a day when you're the mom of a preschooler.  We gave him JumpStart Preschool for Christmas (that's another post) and I just recently installed it for him to start playing.  He was busy with that so I went out to be a pooper scooper.  He knew I was outside and knew how to get my attention if he needed anything.  I think he clicked a wrong button or something because as I was finishing up he was calling for me.  Cleared the error message and got him started again. 

Now out to milk the goats.  Same scenario, same instructions.  I'll be outside, if you need me go out the back door and you'll see me.  Imagine my surprise when I walk in and he's not at the computer and I can hear him crying!  "What's wrong",  I yelled out.  "I'm crying cuz I thought the monsters ate you.  I was playing my game and had to poop and called you to wipe my butt.  When you didn't come I thought you were dead!"  Oh my goodness!  Do I laugh or cry?  Or wonder why he's so quick to think of death?  I patted him on the head and cleaned him up and everything was all better.