Some things this week that made me happy:
*DH and I had all six 'walking' grandkids (to differentiate those who could get around under their own power from the two infant grandchildren) for a day. It was complete and utter chaos when DH was in charge (I confess, I took delight in his exhaustion, mainly because this had been his brilliant idea and I'd tried to tell him six kids wasn't going to be as easy and fun as he thought. . .) but when he let me be the boss, there wasn't whining or fussing and everyone moved reasonably quickly when they were told to do or not to do something. That was the 'happy' part: knowing I was right that it wasn't easy, and secretly enjoying seeing him be overfaced at times.
Part of the day was spent at a local park with a big playground. When it was time to go (and DH was dragging his feet about rounding up the kids and getting them all into the two vehicles we'd driven), I simply called them all over, asked who wanted a package of fruit snacks --to which they all said ME!-- and told them that as soon as they were buckled into their seats I would hand out fruit snacks. Five minutes later all six kids had walked willingly to where we'd parked, hopped into the vehicles and, if they were big enough, buckled themselves in. No fussing, no whining, and all happy smiles. (Something I learned while raising my four kids mostly by myself while DH's job had him working long hours and/or traveling out of state: work smarter, not harder. Be prepared with at least two plans for every situation. Corral the troops, keep morale good, and always be alert for signs of mutiny.)
*I had a great ride on the Poetess the other day. We canter now during just about every riding session, and she is really getting the hang of transitioning back down to the trot when asked (rather than thinking she should keep on going if I didn't totally throw away the reins). We've also started riding outside the fenced in area behind the barn, just little short jaunts out a couple hundred yards or so and back, keeping things calm and low-key. This particular ride we kicked up a fawn while outside the fence, and Poetess did startle when it jumped up in front of her, but then she stopped and stood looking at it rather than wheel and try to run away. I love this horse; she has a great brain.
*The broiler chicks (and the four little pullets plus our 'free' chick) have moved out of the brooder in the garage and into the grow out pen. Hooray! They were getting rather big and stinky for the brooder, and I was getting tired of having to try to shovel it out. They will now live outside for 3-4 weeks before heading off to freezer camp (and the other five chicks move to the coop with the big chickens). No more shoveling, just moving the pen to fresh grass daily.
* The long hours of daylight. I am so solar powered. And, honestly, I don't mind hot weather nearly as much as I mind cool and damp weather. I find it much easier to cool myself off than warm myself up, so Summer is probably my favorite season (although I don't think I truly have a favorite).
*I was able to get with my BFF since 8th grade whom I hardly ever see (but we text and/or message on FB fairly often) and we traded some iris rhizomes. I gave her a couple that are super dark purple and a black/dark purple with pale lavender standards and she gave me a bright yellow, and a pink that I don't have, plus a couple mixed kinds that aren't exactly the same but similar color combinations to some that I do have. It was great to swap plants, and to see my friend of over four decades. We're both busy with work, grown kids, and grandkids, so it's been somewhere in the realm of five years since we've spent time face to face.
*The lilies and drumstick allium are in bloom.
* I found a teeny tiny baby praying mantis on one of my dahlia plants. It was so small! Only a little bigger than an inch long.
How has your week been? What are some of the things you took delight in this week?
