The Third Week of August

 Although it was the middle of August, we were in full back-to-school mode for the three younger kids.  The school supplies and backpacks had been purchased, along with new clothes and shoes, and then it was time to head to the high school to pick up schedules and figure out where Greyson and Alayna's classes could be found.

Shortly after the kids returned to school, Emerson would be heading off to college, as well.  Her first order of business was her last day of work at a local ice cream shop.

And then we rounded up a big crowd for one last karaoke night!

Emerson was so excited to be heading off on her own!

Nash's best friend, Lincoln, who grew up across the street from us was planning to move in just a couple of weeks.  I think that boy spent more time at our house over the last seven years than he did at his own, and while he'll only be a half hour away, it won't be the same as a short walk across the street to get these boys together.  We hit the skate park, where the two rowdy boys had tons of fun, and then, of course, there was a sleepover and some hard core gaming.

The weekend before school starts is always the Flint Elks Invitational, where Jason golfs with his dad and then we get all gussied up for Saturday night awards.

And then it was Sunday!  The final day before the new school year was here.  The day was filled with go-carts, a trip to the dog park, picking apples from our tree, and general lounging around by the cats and chickens.  

Monday morning came early, with a 5:30am wake-up for the kids.  Nash was off to fifth grade at our intermediate school, and Alayna and Greyson were off to the high school.  (I'd also like to note that Emerson was elated to be able to sleep in while the others woke up early for school.)

There was even a frog camped out on my running shoes on the porch, waiting to see the kids catch the bus.

And then it was very, very quiet.  Blaze, Rainy, and Penny were all enjoying their separate corners of the pasture, Lizzy found a spot to lay the day's egg, and Sweet Pea wasn't quite sure what to do without Alayna around.

Even Grey Cat, our stray cat who lives on our porch, seemed to miss the kids.

Their first day went well, and Nash was so excited to be sharing not only a bus, but a seat with Alayna!

The day before Emerson headed off to college, her friends at another ice cream shop pulled some strings, and Em was there, getting her free ice cream!

Finally, much to Emerson's delight, the big day was here: Moving Day.  As she loaded up her new car, Sawyer tried to sneak in for the trip.

We squeezed as much as we could into her car, and then it was time to hit the road!  Emerson and I would be heading out, with Jason and the kids joining us in Marquette at the end of their school week.

I'd like to end this post with my usual, life went on as it does on the farm ending, but things didn't quite go as planned that afternoon.  When Alayna came home from school that day, she found Blaze with his head in the chicken feed, munching away.  This sounds like it would be no big deal, right?  Well, actually it is a very big deal.  Chicken feed can be highly toxic to horses.  In a very short amount of time, Blaze started reacting negatively to that feed.  We had no idea how much he had eaten.  He kept laying down, and Alayna kept trying to get him on his feet.  

Jason made an emergency call to our horse vet, who was able to get there within an hour.  After a thorough check and flushing and medication, along with quite a few tears from Alayna, they were able to get Blaze on the road to recovery.  If you'd like to know the cost of that vet visit, no you don't.

Here's where I'll tell you that the day ended peacefully, and farm life, finally, went on as it does.