Yesterday was a good day.  With the help of my 7 yo we made three batches of granola.  One with apple pie spice, one with cinnamon and one just plain.  I didn't have as much apricots as I would have like to add after it was made.  Oh well, it will get ate.   Each batch is almost a gallon jar.   I will be surprised if it last a full month.  

The reason I had only one child helping is the other two were being allowed to set and think about choices.   MJ has a computer "game" called Brain Builder that I really do think helps him exercise his listening and thinking abilities.  He has been "forgetting" to do it.  Or yesterday he said he was in a hurry to go play.  I have ask him nicely to please do it morning and night.  Not happening.  So I changed tactics.  It is now his choice if he "remembers" to do it or not.  If I ask him to do some thing or tell him something he doesn't "hear/understand" then I will ask if he has done his brain thing.   IF he has I will repeat instructions.  If not, he will spend the rest of the day setting and considering his choices.  Yesterday I didn't make him sit all day, because I sprung it on him.  He did set long enough to not be happy.  Funny thing, he remembered to get in there and do it about 6 last night.   Maybe the seat of his pants polishing a chair is a direct link to his brain??  Well he took off out to do "chores" without doing it.  He couldn't wait to see the new baby goat.  Then after chores he started his computer to do it.  Then decided breakfast needed to happen first so we will see.

Then MN has this idea that she is in control of mom and her school work.  My rule is they must pass their Switched on Schoolhouse with a 80 or above.  If they don't then they are required to redo it.  She has decided it isn't a big deal to slap answers on and then have to redo.  I am tired of it.  They were warned that the redoing was going to cost them.  She needed to find out how.  She won't take the time to go back and find an answer.  She just guesses and oh well.  So I upped the anty for her too.   I will redo when I feel like it.  Until then you may set.   Oh shock!  Oh the looks!  I ask if she tried to find the correct answers?  She has 3 chances on SOS.  If it is a lesson she can go back and find the right answers after she misses the first time.   She admitted she didn't.  So she sat and watched us make granola.   Did I mention she LOVES cooking?   Oh well, so sad!  Such choices that effect !  Anyone want to guess how many re-do's she will have on Monday?  My guess is none!

We have new baby goats!   We have an OLD OLD La Macha milk goat.  Old as I really don't think she has teeth.   I knew she was getting close.  Last night she had discharge and her udder had tripled in size.  I really don't think you could cover her udder with an ice cream bucket.  It is that big.   My 6th sense said she was going to have trouble.  I kept checking on her.  Finally about 8:30 I went out and she had a water bag, feet and a nose showing. I popped the water bag and gave a tug.  Out popped a small nanny kid.  I left mama cleaning her.  About 9 I went back out to see how things were progressing.  Usually if the first one comes out the rest is easy.   WRONG!   She is having trouble.  So I go fishing.  I hate having to do this.  All I could feel was soft tissue where I should be feeling a head, feet or even the hips/backbone if it was breach.    With much fishing, and work I finally find what I "think" are hips.  I manage to snag one finger in front and start tugging.  Remember you are doing this with only touch in VERY tight quarters.   I get one hip and manage to work that back leg out.  I pull and work and get the butt out.  With that I pulled a dead kid out.   I am still not sure exactly the position of that kid, it wasn't "doable" for her I know.  Before I could even check if it was dead or not out popped kid number three, another healthy, but smaller nanny kid.  

This morning both were doing great!  MN milked a coke bottle of milk out of her to relieve the pressure.  She also made sure both kids nursed. Her udder is so big it is hard for the babies to attach.  They will get it figured out, but for now getting attached by MN twice a day is good.

In other barn news I have a baby lamb.  He is beautiful!  He is black and white and so bright eyed and alert looking.  He can't walk.  Well he can walk, sorta, but not "normal.  He walks on his front knees, and carries both back legs.   He can stand on his front legs, but I don't think he can get up on them without help.  I hate these type problems.  Do I put him down?  Will he get better?  What should I do?  He drinks his bottle great.  I have had him 3-5 days now. 

Our plans for today are to get ready for play day at Church tomorrow.  Kids are making tortilla roll ups.   I think I will soak beans tonight and cook them in the morning.   I may also grill some chicken breast with onions and peppers for tomorrow night.   The "theme" is Mexican food.   I may also make some of those oat meal no bake cookies.  Only instead of using just oat meal, I am thinking of adding sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds.  I may toss some wheat germ in too.

My other goal is to get the cabbage and kale plants I bought in the ground.  Not sure it will happen, but it IS a goal.  

So off I go to be productive!  Hope everyone has a blessed day!  Go out and bless someone else!