Gardening and Raising Chickens with Drew

What do you enjoy doing with your grandchildren? Do you spend a lot of time with them in the summer? 

Each summer, I find myself trying to come up with a list of things to do with Drew. I realized that I was always trying to find activities that were "learning experiences" and "educational" and "appropriate". You know what? Life is a learning experience. Everyday is an education. What is appropriate anyways? Okay, it's really, really hot today so maybe I have a little heatstroke or something. I do make sure that what I do with Drew or allow Drew to do is "appropriate". Nothing that is potentially harmful, dangerous, or illegal for that matter is allowed. That being said, the rules can be bent just a tiny bit from time to time. Don't you agree?

Drew spends a lot of time with us during the summer months when he is on summer break from school. We live on a 3 acre farm with chickens, one old goat named Star, one mini mule named General, one mini donkey named Jerry (after Jerry Garcia...wait...did I just date myself?) and a very old (18 years old which I believe puts him well into his 80's in human years) terrier-chihuahua mix named Kirby. Two years ago, Drew was staring out at our front yard and asked, "is this all my playground?". Yes. Yes indeed, it is!

One of the things we really enjoy is gardening. We're not pro's at it but we enjoy it. They say that children are apt to try new vegetables (or eat a vegetable or two) when they grow it themselves. There is a lot of truth to this! Drew will now eat fresh salads with homegrown leaf lettuce, peas picked right off the vine and spring onions (of all things!). He has his own raised bed garden and takes great pride in the fact that his peas are taller than my peas. Last year's sunflowers were a big hit and we got some beautiful pictures.

Drew's Sunflowers

 And yes! Drew took this picture of them one evening as the sun was setting. If you've never handed a camera over to your grandchildren, try it! The world is fascinating through their eyes.

Hopefully, this year's pumpkin crop will be better than last year's crop. Halloween will be upon us before you know it!

We have had chickens on and off over the years. We were down to three laying hens that are almost at retirement age. This year, we bough 15 pullets (these are laying hens for "non-chickenese" grandparents) and 50 meat chickens. Drew has been learning the finer points of raising chickens. Raising chickens can teach children about caring for animals and the importance of knowing where our food comes from. We enjoy the fresh eggs that the hens provide us and look forward to having roasted chicken soon!

Pullets

 Many cities and suburbs will allow for a few chickens in backyards now. I highly recommend raising chickens for a really neat way to teach a little science and a little math (how much to feed, how many eggs, etc.). They are a whole lot of fun for not a lot of money and you get to add some really good food on your table to boot!