It starts early.
I'm up at 4. Blame it on the storms, blame it on the anticipation, blame it on the very long list of things to do.
Blame it on happiness.
You'll know that the younger family is coming up from Chicago to meet Sparrow and to spend time in this place of my daughter's childhood (and of their wedding!).
But first, after a thorough house tidying, I settle in to eat breakfast.
![farmette life.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/42105014204_afd70d61c6_z.jpg)
(Stop Sign settles in to spend the day watching our comings and going.)
![farmette life-2.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1828/42774035392_155e78bb65_n.jpg)
At last: the meeting of the boy and his aunt and uncle...
![farmette life-11.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/896/41921850135_54b3ca4713.jpg)
Two babes, so close in age, slated to watch the other grow up... (My younger girl holds Sparrow, her husband holds Primrose.)
![farmette life-15.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1787/27953634307_1196209ff7.jpg)
(a switch around...)
![farmette life-20.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1830/42774043142_f5e158c008.jpg)
Primrose: "wow, my family's crazy nice!"
![farmette life-28.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/892/42774049442_b3bd76fcd4.jpg)
"but, is he, like, gonna roll over on me??"
![farmette life-26.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1749/42105026254_73035eea72.jpg)
"Go to sleep, six day old child!"
![farmette life-29.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1805/27953639907_0712bd3cb8.jpg)
Time for me to pick up Snowdrop. She is so busy making play-doh cakes for me with her good friend.
![farmette life-31.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1821/41921857435_dcc31cd0b4.jpg)
Never let it be said that the little girl doesn't pause to smell the flowers...
![farmette life-38.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1761/42822829921_fda9eb87d0.jpg)
And now we're back at her house. Hi Primrose!!
![farmette life-58.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1728/42774053762_9948e3dc4c.jpg)
A reading moment: Primrose likes the first parts alright. She finds the last pages a tad predictable.
![farmette life-66.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1755/27953644477_eca74bd4b4.jpg)
We are all at the farmhouse! Welcome, Primrose! It's your first farmette visit!
![farmette life-72.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42776964202_29337c3e74.jpg)
"I think I'm gonna like it here!"
![farmette life-76.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42776965942_be49240ce3.jpg)
We have supper (take-out Mexican): for the first time, all nine of us are at the large table. And I learn something: to get everyone to look photo-normal while they're eating dinner is hard! (In this shot, you can't see Sparrow as he chose to sleep this one out.)
![farmette life-81.jpg](https://farm1.staticflickr.com/895/42825599321_68e92954b9_c.jpg)
There is so much activity! But it is a fine evening. Everyone is delightful, everyone has a heart full of play. And love.
(Primrose, kissing mommy good night)
![farmette life-86.jpg](https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1765/42825600721_b2baac5cea.jpg)
What a day what a day what a day!
I'll sleep when this week, or make this summer, or make that this year are over. For now, I'm just riding the wave of a grand family weekend.