Rooster Coghorn Ostrich Ranch

So I've seen this place dozens of times on my way to Tucson. This ostrich ranch right smack in the middle between Phoenix and Tucson at the base of Picacho Peak. I absolutely despise fowl of any kind--many traumatic childhood experiences that would require an entire blog post of their own (but would be a good laugh:)--but my kids were always asking to stop there sometime. Well...on Friday, I drove the kids down to Tucson to spend a couple of nights at their Grandma Donna's house. We left a little earlier than normal so that we could stop at the ostrich ranch to see what it was all about. I was most pleasantly surprised. We had a FANTASTIC time there! It was a very inexpensive and well worthwhile excursion. For $5, you get a big cup of feed for the deer, goats, ostrich, and donkeys and a little cup of nectar for the Lorikeets.

First, the kids feed the deer--I've always thought deer to be shy but not these ones!!! They were VERY friendly and loved eating out of the kids' hands.



Next were the goats. It was hilarious watching these goats trying to climb out of these holes that we just not quite big enough for them to fit through.



Next was the main event--the Ostrich!!! I'm STILL creeped out by these things!!! We learned that they are actually living dinosaurs. I knew there was something unnatural and very wrong about them:) The kids definitely kept their distance and just threw the pellets at the birds and I barely took a breath the entire time we were there. (Note the signs above Ethan and Carlie's heads:)




The donkeys were next on the list--and pretty boring compared to the others.


Finally, the Lorikeets. This actually turned out to be the favorite of the day. Well Max chickened out at the last minute and decided that he didn't want to hold his nectar cup so that left me to do it. (FYI, I was very traumatized growing up by my best friend's parrot--Fernando--that only spoke Spanish (the bad words) and was always trying to bite us or sit on our heads.) I most certainly did not want birds all over me but I braved it for my kids:) These birds were HILARIOUS!!! I pretty much held my breath the whole time again because it was all I could do to keep from screaming out loud! As soon as we opened our little cups those birds were all over us!!! And yes...Ethan and I got them on our heads--but amazingly no poop:)





Tatum had similar feelings as myself:) LOVE her face here!!!

So as I said earlier, we had a FANTASTIC time and I would highly recommend it to anyone--even those with severe bird phobias:)

Tatum turns 3!!!

AHHH!!! I'm dying here! There is NO WAY that my baby girl is 3!!! I swear she should be like 18 month at most!!!

Well...now she' the big 3 years of age. She is very much a girly girl. She is soo lovable and definitely the sweetest of all our kids. She is always ready to give hugs and kisses. Dad is not allowed to leave for work without giving her the required "5 Tatum kisses." If he does, HE WILL HEAR about if for days!!! Here's video of how it all goes--1st: kiss 2nd: Nose (bunny kisses) 3rd: Eyes (Butterfly kisses) 4th: Ears (made up by her) 5th: Hair (also made up by her) and then it all ends with a hug. Yes...every day this MUST be done. But it's pretty cute and Dad doesn't mind too much (unless he's running a little late:)

So for her birthday she decided that everything was to be "Garbies!" Which means "Barbies." Yes, she loves those dang dolls!!! So I don't consider myself a cake decorator by any means but I was pretty proud of this cake. It turned out rather well if you ask me!

We had a fun evening on her actual birthday. I asked her where she wanted to eat to which she said, "McDonalds...DUH mom!" (Yeah....she says "DUH" more to me than anyone else--it's giving me a complex!!! Am I really that dense?!) So it was off to McDonalds (DUH) and then we came home and had "Garbie" cake and ice cream. She opened all of her presents and was quite pleased with all her loot. (The crown she is wearing is the "Birthday Crown." It's been in the Knoop family for years!!! We had to wear it at every birthday. My kids love looking at my old birthday pics with me wearing the beloved crown:)



We had such a great time. I am soo grateful to have this little girl in my life. I love her SOO stinkin' much! Happy Birthday Tatum!!!