Most days Kye will walk with me to collect the eggs from our chicken coop. This is a lovely time we spend together and it’s amazing how similar each time is. It’s like a little ritual that he enjoys tremendously. When he sees me with the egg box he will eagerly ask if he can go with me. Of course, I say yes, because this time we share is so special. I can almost see his mind thinking hard about these chickens of ours…
Here are photos from one of our egg collecting journeys…
This is actually an owl box that we used to have in our garden, the owls never used it and so we put it in the chicken house and the chickens just love laying their eggs in there. That is Lavender hanging on the wall, we find it keeps the mosquitoes away in summer.
Kye loves looking in the owl box each morning to discover all those new eggs..
Kye: ‘Do you see this perch, mom? I used to fit under the low one and one day I will be able to fit just under the top one too.’
It’s hard to believe that he will be six on Wednesday…
Kye:’I found a warm egg! Oh, mom it’s so warm, I think I’m going to stand here a while and hold it in my hands.’
(He puts the egg against his cheek and smiles to himself, marvelling at its warmth) just taking his time until he feels he is ready to continue egg collecting. I love it…
Once all the eggs have been placed in the egg box, he counts each one and tells me how many he has.
Then he proudly brings them inside and feeds the chickens some lucerne pellets to thank them…
Rituals are so important to children….what a wonderful chore to share! I’ve always thought that it was nice to have one special thing or more that you do with each child alone. It makes for beautiful memories (and a chance for intimate conversations, too!) XXO-
What a precious time. I love how cozy your coop looks.
And your drawings are just wonderful. I really like the dolphin one.
What a nice ritual. I love that he takes his time enjoying the gifts and the process.
What a gift. To be able to spend quiet, one on one time with your child, doing chores. Thank you for letting us share your special moment.
That is the sweetest post ever!! What a marvelous upbringing you are giving your children.
The precious time we spend with the children we love. There is no such thing as “quality” time. You can’t schedule the huge number of random moments that give you insight to a fellow heart, that bind you together – not in “quality” moments, but in the otherwise mundane moments of life. It is when no one is looking that we are ourselves, and real love comes from that self – the one that is totally alive and unselfconscious. You make poetry, the real poetry, the real art of life – it follows in the wake of love and wonder and cannot be edited or scanned. It is in the spirit that lies around us, invisible as air, undiscovered, but the substance of life, memory, love, gratitude, beauty. And you shared it with us.
Beautiful photo’s – golden haired boy, golden straw and golden wood hen house! and a very touching description of your small boys joy! perfect! Thanks Linda.
Oh, and I see my golden yellow calendula blossoms there on your sidebar – I’m honoured!! x x x
Aw, I think this has been my favorite post of yours yet! So so sweet. I love the bit about fitting under the perch.
how sweet. he has a gentle soul.
It is so sweet that your children know the feeling of a just layed egg and appreciate the gift! I hope you are having a loving weekend Linda.
What a lovely post, and beautiful photos. I love your detailed description of his absolute joy in the chicken coop. So special that the two of you have this time together. Makes me giddy with anticipation to get our chickens, they are coming in the spring. Thanks for sharing.
What a wonderful morning ritual with your son. He is adorable. Thank you for sharing about this sacred time together.
i loved having this peek into yours and kye’s morning moment. he is so beautiful, such a sweet boy and so gentle with the eggs. i love that you have this special one on one time together, i know how much it means to the both of you. my kids still remember the times we spent each alone with mama. good memories…
xx lori
That is beautiful.
I can’t wait until my girls start laying so I can share the egg collecting experience with my children.
Very sweet post! Your coop looks very nice, cosy and clean! I just posted some Valentine Swap pictures: http://sarah-ourislandhome.blogspot.com/2012/02/valentine-swap.html. I hope you like them!
9 eggs your girls are brilliant, I think i need to shake mine up a bit! Your nesting box looks lovely and clean too, do the girls sleep in there? My boys love getting the eggs too 🙂
Hi Jenni, we usually get about 14 eggs per day from our 16 girls. Two are quite old now so they don’t lay anymore. They sleep on the perches that Kye is pointing at inside a 3 metre by 3 metre wooden house. The little owl box is just where they lay their eggs.
Take care
So beautiful, Linda – the moments you have captured in images and in words. Your boy is gorgeous as he goes about the serious business of egg-collecting. Of growing. And you have got to have THE prettiest hen house.