At Least Laura Ingalls knew how to carry a chicken

I have decided that everyone here has a pet- horses, pigs, dogs, cats, chickens, etc. etc. My poor city kids have had a few pet fish fish over the years. For the last 3 months they have enjoyed their preying mantis named "Cricket". I have been thinking maybe we should try to fit in here and get ourselves a chicken coop. Of course, I like my eggs to be white, and come in a Styrofoam container. ( great for crafting you know)

As you can guess, it is starting to get pretty chilly here in the Arctic so it was time the chickens at the boys school moved from there happy summer home to their winter quarters. Ben was asked to help carry the chickens through the school. When he got halfway to his goal, the chicken he was carrying became "violent" and started pecking at him. Now, Ben not having a lot of experience with pecking chickens and not enjoying the confrontation, dropped the chicken. Then a chase ensued involving Ben running through the halls. Finally, he was aided by a teacher who heard the chicken from her room. Eventually, Mrs. Lodge caught the chicken. Ben was then told to go back through the school and pick up all the feathers.

I think we will stick with insects and fish.

Here is Ben, and his Evanston Cousins at the chicken coop

Laura Ingalls never had to sell wrapping paper!

Let’s be honest! All parents hate school fundraisers especially when your child runs home so excited to sell 100 dollars worth of wrapping paper. Then they get a 2 dollar helicopter. I have been pleasantly surprised since starting school there has been a serious lack of any fundraisers. I have decided that there was a reason we never saw a fundraising episode on “Little House on the Prairie” The same applies to us here.

1. There are only 87 students in our entire school, so if they do go somewhere, one bus fits them all, or it's because there is really nowhere to go, so no need for field trips.


2. Nathan, as a fifth grader, has cafeteria duty after lunch- cleaning trays washing, tables, etc. They save money by only having 1 lunch lady!


3. The school was built in 1887 and still uses the original bell, cutting on electricity, so I am sure the school has been paid off for awhile.
4. My kids weren’t allowed to drink any of the water, due to E-coli being found in the hundred year old pipes. (again low water bill)


5. Ben and Nathan both help take care of the schools large garden. They are also allowed to eat whatever they want at recess. (no need for snack money)


6. Last of all they have their own chicken coop. They take care of the chickens then sell the eggs at the local farmers market to help pay for parties, computers, etc. ( Laura Ingalls would be proud )

No selling wrapping paper for us. Woo hoo

See, I knew I could find positives!

I love Cowboys

Ya know, I love cowboys. My Dad, my Grandpa, John Wayne, Clint Eastwood (when he's a cowboy) but do I love cowboys enough to attend a church called "Cowboy Church"? I pass this church everyday on my way to the boys school and It always makes me wonder;

1. Do you have to be a cowboy to attend?
2. Do you Worship Cowboys?
3. Do you simply have to own a cow?

hmmmmm Deep thoughts!

Another fun find

As you know, I have been finding small treasures left by the former owners. Here is display # 2

I call him: Weired scare-crow
headed for the disco.

The Parade

So shortly after arriving here, we decided to take part in our first town event.

We had the senior citizen Cloggers, and Square Dancers:



I so wanted to jump up there and join them.

We had the Taxidermy float



You can't really see it, but they had stuffed animals with arrows through them. I thought it was very clever.

The local fertilizer store even threw out something. No not candy or Frisbee's but packets of fertilizer and seeds.



My favorite part was the candy. It wasn't like those boring old parades where politicians throw candy at you. No, we had a cement truck spinning the candy, and shooting it out the long barrel thingy ( do you like my proper terminology)




I think the parade cemented my boys love for Montana.

(ha ha ha get it? Cemented, Oh I crack myself up)

One year ago

It was one year ago today that I went out to an Irish bar, ate shepherds pie, totally freaked out the waitress when my water broke, and had a beautiful baby girl.

Happy Birthday Sarah!