Our Week

Been a busy week!  With our bus registered in Queensland, every year we have to take it for a machinery check.  It’s always a bit of a concern as to what they are going to find!  Every year they find something – mostly minor, like windscreen washers not working!  This year we were pleased to hear – nothing needs fixing right away!  There are a couple of things coming up before next year so we’ll have to plan that into the budget!  All the rust work that Mike has done paid off as last year they told us it was becoming an issue and this time they didn’t mention it!

After our early-for-us start we stopped off at the playground to let the family run there excess energy off!

Jireh found the water fountain (called a bubbler here in Aussie) and had a lot of fun experimenting with how to actually get the water in his mouth!

Back “home” the younger three are enjoying riding their bikes.  Suzanna has recently taken off her trainer wheels and is now enjoying her new freedom!

 

Gabrielle loves to race on her bike … and she gets quite a speed up!

 

 

Suzanna gaining confidence!

 

 

Jireh doing his best to keep up with his sisters!

 

While the “little guys” are enjoying their bikes the “older guys” are having fun with their dogs.  Last weekend the local pony club set up for a Gymkhana but then unfortunately got rained out!  The girls have enjoyed the jumps though taking the opportunity to do some agility and flyball training with the dogs!

 

Sambo taking the jump!

 

 

Lassie stepping out in style!

 

 

Tess low flying over the flyball jumps!

 

 

Sparkie eager for the ball!

 

Who said puppies could not see?  This is the first time the puppies put themselves in colour co-ordinated piles!  OCD much!

 

The puppies are two weeks old today … eyes are open, they are almost “walking” and won’t be long before they start climbing out of the whelping box!  Not sure I’m looking forward to that!  I told the girls before they got Lassie pregnant that “puppies” were spelled “w-o-r-k” and yesterday I asked Jasmine how did she think puppies would be spelled once they stared running round and she said, “Extra w-o-r-k!”  I think she’s right!

Puppies!!!

At the end of March we intentionally bred our Working Border Collie with our Border Collie x Shepherd.

On 31 May Lassie gave birth to 9 adorable puppies!  She was a first time mum and found the initial experience quite overwhelming.  As her first puppy got close to being born she felt the need to empty her bowels … hence first puppy was born outside on the grass!!  As soon as we noticed that it was a puppy not a poop we raced over, opened the sac, cut the cord and carried it inside wrapped in a facecloth!  Unfortunately we didn’t get any photo’s of this!  We dried her off and showed her to Lassie who was definitely NOT interested!

Next four puppies were born at about 10-15 minute intervals.  Jasmine had to break the sac of each puppy, then she dried it a little then passed it on to one of the other girls after I (Sarah) had cut the cord!  Once it was dry we placed it in a towel lined drawer with a hot water bottle under the towels.

After puppy #5 it seemed as if Lassie was finished birthing so we gave her the puppies which she gladly accepted!  Whew!  We had wondered, after her rejection of the first puppy, if we’d have to hand feed the whole litter!  She settled down to feeding them all like a good mummy!

About an hour later … surprise, surprise … she started nesting again.  We quickly removed the puppies and prepared for another one.. two … three … FOUR more puppies!! 

All the puppies are doing well and so is Lassie.  She is a great mummy and we haven’t had to supplement feed any of the puppies even though its a huge litter for a first time mum.

 

<—SHAZZY

KELLY –>

 

 

<—CHARLIE

ROY –>

 

<—MAYFAIR

MIKEY –>

 

,

<—OXY

DIXIE –>

 

JUNIOR

And now she is 14!

On June 5 our second daughter Jessica entered this world 14 years ago!

True to family tradition, we all gathered on the master (family) bed first thing in the morning, often before Mike and I are even out of bed, where the birthday girl opens her presents!

Jasmine who this year has taken over the role of chief candle lighter – all except ONE who gets to be lighted by the birthday girl in this case …

Jessica!!!!

Amazing to see our “little girl” blossoming into a exuberant young lady!  I love watching our children grow up, going through the ups and downs of childhood, tween then on into the teenage years.  I personally LOVE teenagers.  They carry with them a certain vitality that I haven’t seen in any other age group.  I know I feel more alive when with teenagers!  We have two teens now and next year well have three! Yeah!  More life for me!!!