It's a busy evening and a beautiful morning... and a good little big girl!

 We had been asked if our Niece Sydney could come spend the day (she loves the ranch from sheep to bugs to dogs...you name it she loves it!) I proposed to my sis in law why doesn't she just come stay the night and you can get her the next day or I can bring her to town in 2 days. All is good we have agreed Sydney will come to spend the NIGHT  or 2 nights. Sydney was packed for 2 nights but she was sure she on;y stays away from home 1 night. (Mind you it's been a long time since we have had a little one on the ranch). Uncle Ron and I decided we would make her her favorite dinner (Ribs and baked beans) we would make the lamb cake for her to decorate, we would do cookie cutters so she could decorate cookies to go around the lamb cake. As we closed in on the date I thought well she would love to catch the tadpoles at the pond  so grandpa went and bought her a new net and a bug catcher. Tues afternoon closed in as I waited for my little person to show. She arrived at the office about 2:30 and pleasantly surprised with her new "bug equipment"! We loaded up and teary eyed she said good bye to mom clutching her stuffed animal "ashley" the dog that she crought along for the comforts of home. Off we went in the green bean. chatting non stop on the way home about butterflies, deer, sheep and dogs! She was excited to see Uncle Ron and the new steer "Angus" although she really couldn't wait to see LEO the turkey!! We hit the door running, shoes needed changing as she arrived in a ruby slipper looking flip flop. She assured me on the drive up those would not be the appropriate shoes for the ranch that she had boots and tennis shoes on board!  When we got here she questioned whether uncle Ron would be here and how long it would be til he got here...(and Ron got held a bit later than planned) . So we killed time checking on Leo the turkey and Angus the steer we talked about how Angus would become steaks in July...Still NO RON..."Auntie Jenn how far is he from here...you should send him a text that says WHERE ARE YOU" she awaiting the hike to the pond to find the tadpoles. So I said well we can just leave witout him and he can catch up!! It wasn't long after we got there that Ron was there!!

Came home from the pond with all the dogs in tow to the barn she fed everything that ate food she could lift...a great barn mate. She collected 10 eggs from the coop and was just having the time of her life. Came in made the ribs, and made the cookies..(A little melt down and tears from homesick I think)I never said a word, and she quickly got over it. Colored pencils in hand drawing coming out of the gallery went straight to the fridge, She had a blast decorating the cake we made and the cookies she cut!! Ready t tucvk it in for the night we "conned" PLEASE CALLIE PLEASE CALLIE STAY STAY STAY in bed with the little one she wanted callie in the bed so bad (Callie has never slept in a bed)!

Woke this morning she was up and chipper by 7:0 am. wanted cereal with NO MILK for breakfast and hot chocolate (Yea Auntie scrambled to find hot cocoa in the cupboard) (Ron and I just don't eat this stuff!!) Took her to the barn after her shower, she just putted around while I did some intense sorthing. Then we could work some dogs. We worked pearl and Suede and well that was productive but the dogs weren't sure about the little person!! The lessons started and for 5 hours she was a trooper, never complained, nothing just hung around chatting with the ladies, had her colored pencils to make drawings of the dogs and the sheep she was AWESOME. "Sydney your mom just called do you want to stay or go?"...I want to go she says but I hope I can stay for the day.I tell sis-in law just come about 3:00 we will be good by then! I promised Sydney after the last student (1:00-2:00) we could go to the pond. We get done and she is chomping at the bit to go, so we come down to the kennel get a dog leaving underway, say good bye to the dog, let callie out to go, and LOW AND BEHOLD who shows early?? MOM... Sydney says "MOM YOU ARE EARLY" Melanie says well yes your sister wanted to come and play too..Syd is crushed and she asks her mom well are you going to hike to the pond? (Mom says of course) So off we go to return the tadpoles we had and pick up a few fresh ones to take home. So we do that for a while and leaving the pond Sydney catches a little green frog in the bug catcher) (We have been waiting for this moment)!! All is good, the girls hang out for 3 or so hours in fact were still here when Uncle Ron got home. Sydney was so excited to show him her new friend the frog!! So time is waning we have to get to chores and Melanie needs to get back down the hill (about an hour drive) so in the house to gather "the things". To the car, cake in tow, frog in tow, tadpoles in tow. Sydney is crying away doesn't want to go...we give hugs and say well you could have stayed longer, "I KNOW " she says!! we give her hugs and love and she knows she is welcome anytime!! We will re-coup from the adventure and welcome that baby girl back anytime she wants. We love that baby 7 year old!! What abig girl first time here without mom and dad...and never complained a bit!!