Days With the Duerksens

11 years old already!  This guy gets to celebrate his birthday during spring break most years - something he doesn't mind one bit!  He wanted to go to Applebee's so he could have a good steak.  So in true Duerksen fashion, we combined eating out with other business.  Some of our calves had to be hauled off to the sale barn in Salina, and after that was accomplished, we went to eat.  Hopefully, Caiden didn't mind too much. At age 11, you might find Caiden reading (all the time), playing Minecraft or Farming Simulator on the computer, choring chickens and bucket calves, driving the new Mule around, helping his grandpa or dad with projects, kicking field goals, or shooting baskets.  He has grown up a lot this past year - both physically (he's almost as tall as me!) and in maturity (most of the time). In just 7 short years, he will be looking towards college - yikes! a new football from his sisters Talking business at the sale barn unloading th...

Who knew that a bucket of beads would keep all 3 kids busy for hours?  Amazing!  Cambry even kept with it long enough to make every letter of the alphabet! And, after I found this origami bunny idea for the 3rd grade Easter party, they started multiplying around this house like, well, rabbits!  We have whole families - the girls call their game "Bunnyland." Here is a tutorial for it:   Origami Bunny    Cambry's bunny family Delaney's bunny family

Caiden was sick and missed three days of school last week.  Good thing he had his good friend, Harry Potter, to keep him company.  This is what he looked like for most of those three days - alternating between the couch and floor!  Kinda reminds me of 11 years ago . . .  Sometimes, things really don't change all that much!

February came and went, and with it came calving season.  Most of the time, calves are born without too much hassle.  The moms clean them up and feed them. Sometimes,  however, complications arise.  This poor calf's mother didn't give enough milk, so it has to be bottle-fed twice a day.  Which also means it has to live in the barn. And, his two front legs are splinted up because they just aren't strong enough to walk correctly.  Chelan describes it like this:  If we had the same problem with our legs, it would be like we are walking on our wrists.  Hopefully, the splints will help some.  The girls aren't out at the barn very often, but they did enjoy feeding this calf the other day. Two weeks ago, Caiden and I were surprised to find twins in the barn.  He couldn't wait to go tell Chelan and quickly hurried home.  Twin calves certainly don't happen very often, so this was kind of a fun discovery!  One of them will h...