Country Kids Have More Fun

Only a week and a half ago we were in Kansas but it feels like months. We returned to wet, chilly weather and have only seen the sun a couple of times since we got back home. Hard to remember the wind and heat of Kansas - until I look at the pictures.

Heat and wind are great for wheat - they ripen and dry out the grain so it can be harvested. When the wind blows, the field doesn't all bend in one direction. Those wheat heads whip around and some patches will be opposite the other. For me, it's relaxing to watch - kind of like watching the waves of the ocean.

Amber waves of grain, indeed.

But we did more than watch wheat while we were there. Those of you who farm or grew up farming know the work never stops. There's always a job waiting to be done - machinery to fix, crops to be planted or fertilized or cut. But for our kids, going to the farm is like going to Disneyland only without the $12 hamburgers.

About 8 years ago Matthew had just turned three and we visited right before harvest. When we pulled into the driveway, he could see all of Grandpa's farm machinery. We drove past a couple of huge grain trucks, a trencher, backhoe/loader and skid steer. The tractors and combine were out too. In addition to that were the implements - a disc and an auger. Matthew could hardly speak - huge eyes and mouth open - "Tractee! Look - tractee!" He couldn't say the "-ers" on the ends of words and they came out "ees".

This trip was no different. There was work to do and crops to plant.

This is a soybean seed.

We planted soybeans while we were back and I use the word "we" very, very loosely here. Grandpa hired some guys to do it and they left their rig at the farm for a couple of days.

What you see here are a tractor, drill and seed caddy. Those three things cost more than your house.

And just so you know, I'm no expert. I had to ask Matthew what this was so I could share it with you guys. It's the seed caddy.

This tractor was huge. And the kids loved it! Well, the boys loved it.

Katie preferred finding interesting plants and weeds to pick. These are sycamore seeds. Cool, huh?

Plus there were barn cats to chase! She managed to catch one and named it several times. Let's see, there was Snowball and Furball and Fluffy. I think the final winner was Fluffykins.

There were "jumping off swings" contests -

- and BB guns to shoot.

It helps to have a nice, big target.

I'm telling you, Disneyland ain't got nothin' on a Kansas farm.