Six Years Old!

Our kids are always happy when there is a birthday to celebrate. They are abundantly happy when there is a birthday amongst our own household! Owen turned the Big 6 on October 19.
The younger two and I took cupcakes into his class on his special day. Helen quickly figured out which classmates were which, as she has been salivating over every word of Owen's school descriptions since Day 1.

The birthday supper took place in the back of my truck, complete with the birthday banner and presents.Tailgate suppers are what happens when Daddy is playing in the dirt.Peanut harvest has most everyone wishing that their houses weren't downwind.
We celebrated with more family members later in the week, when I made Owen's cake. I had some cake batter testers in my kitchen to ensure all ingredients were properly measured.
The cakes had multiple tunnels in them. Can I blame my kids' involvement? That would be nice. Unfortunately, I don't need help to screw up a cake mix. Or Jell-O. All the same, I chose to decorate the cake after everyone under four feet tall was tucked into bed. The next morning brought a jealous admirer and an enthusiastic birthday boy.
We waited to place the dirt bike until we arrived at the party.

Happy Birthday, Owen! We love you.

Peanut Harvest

Jason and his dad are finished with peanuts for this year!

Because peanuts grow underground, before they can be combined, they have to be dug up and turned over. Then they are left for a few days to allow the roots and vines to dry so the peanuts will separate from them easily. Unfortunately for y'all, I didn't get pictures of the digger. Just imagine a tractor moving very slowly in a linear fashion across a field.

This is the peanut combine. It's Owen's favorite piece of farm equipment. Unfortunately for him, it's a one-trick pony, and is only used once a year, but that doesn't stop him from talking about it year-round.

A close-up. Don't ask me how it works!

This is the nut cart that is used to transport peanuts from the combine to the truck. This is a huge timesaver, since the combine moves so slowly.

A peanut dump.

This is where your Jif comes from!

Another peanut dump in progress.

Get the scoop shovel ready! Bubba missed a little.Peanuts are dirty business! In the evening, the dirt from combining hangs in the air like fog, and is actually kind of pretty. All that pretty dirt will settle--right onto the clothes on your washline, through your screens and onto your furniture. Pretty, pretty dirt.

Some neighbors asked for some peanut hay for their cows. They picked up a bunch of missed peanuts too. She was roasting them in her oven.

A tailgate party. Tip I learned from Mom: pack a jug of warm, soapy water for washing up. She always did this for berry picking and picnics. Here I had used an empty 2-liter, just so you know we weren't washing our hands with Coke.

Jack the chick magnet.

And here's that ruggedly handsome farmer I've mentioned before. He might kill me for this picture, but I'll take the chance.