I’m back 

I'm Back

I’m sorry I haven’t posted any blogs recently.  It’s been a busy time in our house the past few weeks. Getting the kids ready for school after a fab six week summer holiday,  baby girl had turned 6 and it was George’s first birthday. The kids seem to have settled back into a routine better than I have! All this while living with no kitchen, collecting cows,  hatching chicks and looking after a poorly dog has left very little time to blog. Im slowly getting back into the swing of things though so Modern Mum will be back on track.

Modern Mum of five….. Soon to be six 

Modern Mum of five..... Soon to be six 

​​So here I am,  34, mum of five and pregnant again with number six.  When I found out I was pregnant my first concern was not ‘ how will I cope!? ‘ ‘ do we have enough space? ‘ ‘ will we afford it? ‘ My main worry was ‘ what will people say!? ‘ How wrong is that!? So let me start by saying : -We own our own home and have never claimed benefits -We do own a TV  but we just can’t keep our hands off eachother!  😘 -I don’t spend all day watching Jeremy Kyle (although it is a guilty pleasure when I have 5 minutes) -My kids are always dressed in clean clothes (most of the time) -They all go to school and are very studious. -They all have extra curricular activities and yes it does cost a fortune but we make it work. My kids also… -Are slightly feral and spend alot of their time in the garden or fields,  building dens and climbing trees -help me with housework and help with their younger siblings -Know how to share with eachother and other people -Protect and look out for eachother So to summarise, yes it’s hard work,  yes it’s expensive,  yes we are a little bit crazy, But we are so happy!!!!! When we told the children they were absolutely delighted. the last month they have gained 4 new cows,  3 new sheep, chickens and a baby brother or sister….. Life is never dull! Libby of corse is hoping for a little sister, but as long as it’s healthy (and sleeps through the night from day one 😉) im not fussed either way. You might understand now why my blogs have taken a back step the last few weeks.   Everytime I have sat down to write one my eyes close and I am out for the count. As my first trimester comes to an end my energy levels will be back on track im sure.  Thanks everyone for your messages,  it’s great to hear so many of you have been enjoying my blogs. Love to you all xxxxx

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Country Kids

Country Kids

When we moved to the farm two and a half years ago I really didn’t think about what amazing experiences it would provide for the kids. Although they all embrace the country life,  Harrison is certainly our most natural countryboy. Part of our life here includes raising and caring for animals,  some as pets, some as food. Both are cared for and respected during their time with us regardless.

 It is completely natural to Harri to handle all sorts of animals,  dead or alive and when we have lost a chicken to a fox or illness I’m often calling for him to help me (I’m not such a natural!) When we dispatched our pigs last year, Harri was on hand to help Mike with the grollocking. I had explained to all the children what was happening and that if they would rather stay indoors that might be for the best but Harri was determined to help. However, I totally respect that Mikey (Harri’s twin brother) is happy to care for them and eat the end product but doesnt feel comfortable with the killing (like his mum) Lately Harri he has really taken to joining Mike on the shoots. He helps with the Dogs and collecting the birds. Last time he went with his cousin Brook and they came back at the end of the day like they had been to Disneyworld! After bringing the birds back it was over to Mikey,Charlie and Libby to help prep them for diner.

It can be controversial and some friends do not like the idea of eating animals we raised ourselves. Other friends can’t wait till their next ‘Thompson Pork fix ‘.  The pork Belly I made from our saddleback was amazing. I would rather eat something that I know the history of and the taste is so different. Whatever your opinion is,  the kids are learning some invaluable lessons that I could never imagine them learning before we moved here . 

A Baby,  A Lamb and a Calf!

A Baby A Lamb And A Calf

This weekend Arthur was one month old! It feels like yesterday I was wondering if he would ever make an appearance after the longest pregnancy ever!! It’s been a whirlwind four weeks at our house! All of my first five children have their birthdays between September and November so having a Spring baby is new to me. I love Spring for so many reasons. Given the fact I’ve had six babies, autumn /winter fashion tends to suit me more but I live in a constant state of denial. The fake tan comes out, the highlights go in and I try to work a playsuit like I’m Kendall Jenner! I also love that the kids are outside so much more, fashion for Arthur is as easy as a vest and maybe a babygrow and it really feels like the season to celebrate life. The Spring season started at our house with the suprise birth of our little lamb Boop.

We had no idea our Ewe was pregnant. We had taken four sheep from our local farmer and it hadn’t occurred to us that one may have been ‘ in the family way ‘. Nevertheless, it was a wonderful suprise and really made us realise how wonderful life and nature is. There was me, told that despite my 5 star birth record I was now considered ‘ high risk ‘ and my birth choices were limited to a bed and a room. Yet my Ewe had gone through pregnancy, labour and now nursing a newborn with no advice or intervention. We had woken up and just found a beautiful little lamb in our field! Mothers Instinct is such an incredible thing and should be encouraged celebrated more! The kids faces, when they got back from school to find Boop in the field was a picture. Explaining to libby that we didn’t know which of our boys was the dad disgusted her. ‘Obviously it’s the one that married her otherwise how could she have a baby!?’ I think I will limit mikes ‘father / daughter’ chats before she tells me she wants to be a nun. Then we have our Indian Runner ducklings …. Thriving with our chickens. Actually less thriving than surviving! The chickens have started bullying the ducks so we are moving them out into their own pen.

 All our chickens used to completly free range but thanks to Mr Fox we have to keep them in pens now. ….and the calf,  our lovely calf! We had been waiting for him since early April and he finally made his appearance 10th May. It was a manic morning and if someone had told my 17 year old self, after giving birth to your SIXTH baby you will be breastfeeding him in a field while checking on your newborn calf, my rimmel mascara would have smudged from laughter.

 I missed the actual birth but we were there what seemed to be minutes after. Umbilical cord swinging, calf wet and mum laying down, totally exhausted. Arthur was little over a week by then and if I’m honest,  as gorgeous as the calf was, my heart was with his mum. I felt like we had made a connection during our pregnancies.  Particularly the last month or so,  we would waddle over to eachother and just stare into eachothers eyes,  understanding eachothers pain, impatience and discomfort.

So when the vet told us to get her up and get the calf feeding I immediately jumped to her defense and told them to give the poor animal a minute to recover. It only bought her a couple of minutes,  but I know she was grateful. I have retired her from breeding now (this was her 3rd calf that we know of). So once the calf has stopped feeding she can enjoy her freedom from pregnancy and breastfeeding and spend her days enjoying grazing in the fields. Maybe even work at getting her figure back 😂 Sistas have to stick together 👊 So, what’s next?  more chicks? Turkeys? Piglets?  I’ll keep you updated. Lots of Love Kate X