June 2012

June continued to be a busy month.  The kids all finished up school and looked forward to the break.   Unfortunately for Hannah, school continued all summer.  She was trying to free up her schedule at TSA next year so she could take more electives by signing up for 3 summer classes.  Emma was excited to be casted in one of a few lead roles in the Toledo Young Reps production of,  "Once on this Island."  You can see the show August 16th-19th at the Rep's 10th Street Theatre. 

June 23rd: Mak (4), Grace(5) and Caleb(11)

We celebrated several birthdays in June.  We had hosted Josie's 1st birthday at our house and Mak, Grace and Caleb's birthdays at Mary and Brian's house. 

Last month we also had our new pool installed.  The kids have logged several hours already.  With the HOT weather we have had it was much appreciated.  Especially since we do not have central air in our new home.   It was also just in time for our visitor's coming in town for the Hanna Open this year.  Since then we have removed our fence and are trying to agree on a design for the surrounding deck.

Summer Is Here

We have had a week or so of moderate weather but, this weekend it is back into the 90s.  The kids have wrapped up the school year this week and are ready to relax.  Well to me they have been relaxing all year but, what do I know.  Hannah on the other hand started summer school to complete a few classes so she can take what she wants to at Toledo School for the Arts next fall.  She is taking Health, Business and PE on the Internet.  I am still trying to figure out how you can get a PE credit on line but, the state recognizes it.  She was accepted into the Music and visual arts programs.  Last week Emma auditioned for another musical for the Toledo Rep.  She felt she had a good audition is waiting to hear back from the director. 

We have a lot of projects planned for the summer:  New roof, pool, deck, stable for goats to name a few.  I can't wait for fall! Ha Ha...

Rabbit Hutch Update

Completed Hutch with happy rabbits

The Rabbit Hutch is finally completed.  Well, at least for summer.  It took several trips to the hardware store to complete the watering system but, it was well worth it.   I have the learned that the more you can do to "automate" or minimize activities required to care for plants/animals the easier raising them becomes in the long run.  It is basically like the photo of one that I found on the Internet but, I added a thermometer and a solar powered motion detected spot light.  Since a constant temperature of 50 degree is required for breeding New Zealand rabbits, it is good to know the temperature.  The light helps me when checking on the rabbits at night.  Plus is may be a deterrent for curious critters.  The next step is to finish naming the rest of them. 

Drinking Doe

Auto Watering System

First Trip to the Dentist

Today was Grace's first "real" trip to the dentist.  She was such a trooper and never worried a bit.  Dr. Dove was really impressed with her.

Grace getting her final exam.

Say, "Cheese!"

Fox in the Hen House

Saturday morning, while feeding the chickens, I notice we were missing two of our favorite birds.  Puzzled, I searched inside and out and could only find sporadic black and white feathers scattered about.  I ended up  following a trail of them into the woods.  Later I inspected the chicken run again an found a small hole in the fence.  After talking to neighbors we realized it must have been a fox.  That evening, Hannah looked out and saw the fox scurrying into the woods.  This time we let the chickens in at dusk so they were safe in the coop.  Last night, Jamey and Hannah were determined to get the fox.  They selected their stations and perimeters and waited and waited until it was too dark out.  I guess we are not the hunters we need to be yet.  This morning I noticed the log placed in front of the run was moved so I know it returned again for the 3rd night in a row.  We will see who wins this battle...     

New Zealand Rabbits are Here!



Rabbits at 9 weeks.



Jersey- our "broken" buck



This week we picked up our New Zealand rabbits.  We had met with a breeder several weeks ago but, the clutch was too little to sex the bucks and does.  Our goal was to pick up a good buck and three does.  New Zealand rabbits are breed to produce meat. The breed is typically all white, albinos.  This is preferred so that stray hairs on meat are not as noticeable.  The Brokens were not recognized as part of the breed until last year.  When we arrived, Jamey fell in love with our young buck's brother, a "broken" (mixed black and white).  So now we have 5.    The average female can produce up to 200 lbs. of rabbit meat per year.  Isn't that crazy! Our rabbits were born in March and already weight 6 lbs.  We will be waiting until the end of summer to breed our first pair.

Laying out the cages to get the spacing correct. 

Now we are getting somewhere. 



This week I started working on an out door hutch. I hope to keep them out of the garage most of the year but, we will see how they do in the heat this summer. I found a photo of a design I liked. When finished there will be an automatic watering system and all the rabbit manure will fall to the ground into a compost pile for easy clean up. Rabbit manure is one of the best natural fertilizers you can get. 

Happy 16th!

This week our little Hannah turned 16 years old.  Can you believe it?  She was thankful that her Nana took her and a friend to Cedar Point on her special day.  Grace was also luck to tag along. 

Happy Birthday Little Girly!