The little boys at Deer Tracks

Monday, July 9:  So ... have I mentioned to you HOW MUCH I LOVE Deer Tracks Junction? I know, I know! It's just that ... well, have a look!

 A few basic rules ... actually, this is only one of many signs (and many of them are SO funny!) ... these are serious rules, though, and must be obeyed! So take a little tour around the Hands-on Farm, courtesy of Brendan and Aidan ...

 THE CAMELS ARE GGGGRRRRREAT!!!! Meet Sandbar, the two-humped camel ... Brendan was absolutely delighted with Sandbar and was actually brave enough to hand-feed carrots to him. So proud of your courage, Brendan!

Below is either Carmen or April (I can't tell them apart). They are not related to Sandbar. They are dromedaries (one hump only). They were very friendly. Look at their lips! Their lips quiver as they reach out for the carrot. Brendan thought that part was a scream.

 I love the expressions below (both of Brendan AND the camel) ...

 Near the end of our time there today, our carrot cup was pretty near empty. We decided to see if April or Carmen could get to the bottom where some tiny carrot pieces were. She ended up taking the cup right out of Brendan's hand and licked it clean.

 And the BUNNIES!!!

 Oh.my.word.  Brendan was a little hesitant. He said the bunnies "tickled" him with their little claws.

 Aidan was briefly interested ... (look at his sweet smile!) ... but then he was ... done!

 Brendan, however, enjoyed this little bunny for quite a little while. The keeper told us it was about 6 weeks. This is just about the time where the bunnies get sold--so they don't name them.

 I loved watching Brendan's total delight ...

 THE BUDGIES!!!

OOPS--more bunny pictures ... 

 AND THE BABY PIGS!!!  Last year, there were ZERO baby pigs! Honestly! When asked, we were told that the adult pigs simply were "not in the mood" and did not procreate! This year, however, there were baby pigs in abundance! Brendan was trying to count them in the left bottom picture. He said there were seven all huddled on top of each other! This was just ONE of the locations where you could see the baby pigs--there were 2 or 3 other places that had an abundance as well.

Baby Aidan was his usual, sweet, adorable, cuddly, funny self ... 

 I love this picture (below) of Aidan "owning" the tractor ... he's got it!

 Aidan was SO darn pleased to be sitting in the driver's seat of this machine!

The expression (below) on Aidan's face is when he was watching the approach of one of the camels behind the nearby fence. I was pretending the camel was talking to Aidan ... thus, his be-mused expression. 

 Aidan playing in the rubber tire area with all of the neat trucks ...

In the many play areas / playgrounds here at Deer Tracks, the designer was a genius. He incorporated mazes and tunnels, tube slides, netting, climbing walls, etc. Brendan had just disappeared into that oval hole in the wall ...

 Aidan very badly wanted to join his brother, but I would not let him ... 

 For a little while, baby Aidan was standing outside of this fenced area watching this small buffalo from afar. But then the buffalo got curious and slowly walked closer and closer to the fence ...

 Aidan watched very cautiously as the buffalo got closer and closer  ...  and then suddenly Aidan looked up at me with an expression on his face that said, "Grandma! Rescue me!"  So I picked up our little sweetheart and hugged him close. All was well.

 Brendan climbed on every inch of these play areas and explored his heart out. Aidan was NOT going to be left out of EVERYTHING, so he tried his little body at net climbing. I thought he did very well for his first attempt! Look at how pleased he is!

But ... Brendan could climb up on every opening and then he would "disappear" ... Aidan was very put out that this was allowed! 

 Inside the "lodge" area there are trophy animals. I asked Brendan to stand under this bear just to see how he would look being engulfed by this creature ...

We had gone inside for a potty break but then we went back out to the farm for a little more time ... Aidan enjoyed playing in the little house for awhile ... 

 He and Brendan did the duck race ...

 The cutest thing was listening to and watching Aidan greet all of the pygmie goats while waving his dimpled hands, "Hi! Hi!" he would say.

 I love this of Brendan! 

Later, when we got back to my house, we made a stamped picture of a farm with my farm stamps and re-enacted our day! 

 Aidan added some pencil strokes to the picture I was making ... see how nicely he holds his pencil?

What a wonderful way to spend our Monday together. So thankful. These little boys are such precious treasure!