House Guests

I am have two house guests tonight..my nearly 5 year old and 6 year old nieces. They are sound asleep on the floor with a nice, thick layer of sleeping bags under them. The last time they stayed, they woke up feeling like tacos because our air mattress had sprung a slow leak, and they were both in the middle of this queen sized mattress, touching the floor, with the sides straight up around them. I was told quite firmly by the youngest that she was NOT sleeping on that mattress again! So, we piled a bunch of soft sleeping bags on the floor and several soft blankets and big soft pillows, and they have a bed made for two princesses. Actually, I guess that would be three since my dog is right in the middle of them in Golden Retriever heaven!

It's been a couple of months since they have been down and we've had aunt/niece time so I am enjoying it. My husband has been out of town, so the house has been lonely and very quiet, so my house guests were very welcome. We had planned to go to the corn maze but it isn't open except at night, and neither one of them thought that going through the maze at night sounded like fun. The oldest was supposed to go with her school group last week to the maze, but it poured down rain that day, so she didn't get to go. Excitement was abounding in the back seat as we approached the maze, only to be quickly deflated by all three of us as we found out they were not open. We did go to Cabela's where they got to go to the shooting gallery and even got double tokens because the older gentleman working thought they were so cute. We took a drive out to see some horses, cows, sheep, 100's of turkeys, and some elk so I think they quickly forgot about the corn maze. They both love animals, and got so excited and giggled a lot to see the wild turkeys running around a herd of cows, and the herd of cows watching them as they scurried about. The oldest had an extremely great time seeing the elk up close and personal. These elk live in a very large pen, but unlike most farmed elk, they still have their antlers. The biggest bull of the bunch thought the girls were especially interesting and he tried to stick his nose through the fence as far as he could to smell them. They both thought that was a kick. I think my oldest niece is going to grow up to be the elk whisper. She went along the fence line and talked to the bulls, and they all seemed to pay close attention to her, even walking closer to where she was standing. I talked to them and they never looked at me. She then went over to the cows and calves and was talking to them. Two of them seemed especially interested in her and she just stood at the fence, talking calmly and quietly to them and they came closer and closer. She slowly moved her hand to pet one because she wanted to feel their coat and see what it felt like. For a brief moment, she touched one of the cows until the cow suddenly realized what was going on and jumped back and looked at her. She came right to the fence again and the two seemed to have a conversation. Yes, they are elk that are behind fences, and again, unlike most farmed elk, they have very large, natural terrain pens, more than ample for the fourteen head we saw today. I don't support elk farming, but unlike most, these elk are allowed to have natural terrain, a lot of room to roam, and the bulls get to keep their antlers, and their dignity. Either way, it brightened up a couple disappointed girls day to see those elk so up close and personal.

So, I am blessed with my little house guests tonight and thankful for the time I get to spend with them as we've giggled, watched movies, played Barbies, and have plans to make popcorn balls in the morning. They are very excited, as it's the first time they have ever made popcorn balls! This aunt better get to bed since it's already late/early depending on how you look at it!