'Twas The Night Before Christmas (Baby In utero version)

'Twas the night before Christmas,
When all through the house
Two creatures were stirring
My mommy and her silly spouse (a.k.a. my daddy but that doesn't rhyme).

Stockings were hung on the fireplace with care,
And mommy and daddy were busy preparing for something exciting
I could sense it,
Even inside my warm little lair.

When I heard the talk of presents, of gifts and of play,
I decided that I needed to get out of here,
So I could participate in such a day.

So I pushed and I prodded,
I elbowed and kicked.
Then on came the contractions
I thought I had done the trick!

But my mommy's body is quite stubborn,
This I have learned as she has gotten fatter.
All night I tried to get out,
I even head butted her bladder.

But Christmas morning came,
And I remained warm inside my mom.
So instead I set myself,
To doing random photo bombs.

There seemed to have been alot of fun,
That went on there that day.
My siblings were excited
With all the new things to play.

As for me I'm still waiting.
Guess a birth day on Christmas wasn't meant to be.
I hear it's up to Someone Else
The One Who has formed me (Psalm 139: 13-18).

So I will continue to grow,
To punch and kick with all my might.
In the meantime, Merry Christmas all
And to all, except mommy, a restful night.

The end

Quinoa Experiment in Conclusion

So as expected the quinoa did not get past its 'green stage' before a hard cold hit.  Unfortunately this killed my plants.  Since the quinoa came up later than planned this was expected but we figured we would give it a try.  Anyway, here is what's left (beautiful picture, right?)-

Quinoa CAN tolerate cooler weather, but not frosts before their green stage.  Quinoa is an early spring crop preferring cooler soil temps.  It can be stunted if many of its growing days are over 90 degrees F.  I attempted to start them in the late summer for a fall crop but they did not germinate immediately to get good growing in before the cold season.
Anyway, if you are interested in more here are my other posts on the quinoa experiment.  Seeds were from here.
Quinoa Growing Experiment and Fall Garden
Cover Cropping and Sneaky Quinoa

At the moment I am not planning on growing it next year.  I have moved onto wanting to grow naked oats instead.  We eat and use oats way more than we do quinoa.  We will see.

Something else in danger of frostbite is Penny.  Poor thing has went into molt having to get through cold nights with these naked spots.  She needs a scarf-

I have insulated the coop with straw but other than that they are on their own.  Last year they did just fine.  They are hardy chickens and the gradual cooling (with no heat in their coop) is good prep for the cold winter.  Only thing they get extra in the winter, besides extra straw in the coop, is cracked corn to build their body fat.  I have to break the ice out of their water daily but thats it.  I'm still getting eggs so the trip to the coop is needed anyway.
So dead plants and naked chicken necks..... thats all the excitement I can take for now.

My Son, Ricky Bobby

I'm on a roll of posting nonsense.  Here is another random rambling about the kids-

Little man has two speed loving parents.  Daddy ran track in college and was the winger/sprinter on his college rugby team.  Momma still likes to get her run and race on.  Past credentials.... two words- Field Day Greene County friends, Field.Day. ;) (this is a joke if you are not sure).

So our first born seems to be speed loving too.  Like, REALLY into speed.... or maybe the competition.  So far we are not sure which it is.  Unfortunately he seems to have inherited my stumpy legs instead of long Trexler ones.  That doesn't keep him from trying to run fast.

Life's a.... practice track-

Race against younger sister

Race against clueless cat

Race against chickens

Race against people who let me win

Race/practice Eric Liddell style.  Chariots of Fire opening scene, amazing movie.

Race in the dark

Race in a car

A real race

Well.... at least he enjoyed himself

A soon happy birthday to our little man.  Who is growing up fast, like its a race.