Midway Walks

While living in a small town is not my long-term ideal, it has been perfect for Hazel's first year. One of the very best parts about living in Midway has got to be the great things I can show Hazel while we go on a walk, especially the farm animals.

We take a stroll nearly every day. Yesterday I took the camera with us to document some of the fun things Hazel likes to see while we're out and about.
These sheep are very shy. Usually they hide in their barn. We've only seen them about four times ever. Having one walk all the way up to the fence was a special occasion. Who knew they'd be up for a photo shoot?
We always stop to see the geese and ducks. They are very territorial. Whenever we come, they squawk and honk and hiss and even jut their beaks out and tear at the fence, like they're trying their darndest to intimidate us. Hazel just leans back and sucks her thumb. She is very brave. Sprinklers are always a big hit. Hazel is fascinated by them. This makes me feel relieved, because at least I can still show her sprinklers on our neighborhood walks when we move back to California. She won't have lost everything she loves. ;)

We are not always lucky enough to see moving farm equipment, but yesterday was golden. This puppy crossed right in front of us on his way to the gas station, and then happened to head down the street we were strolling along five minutes later. Hazel's not that into them, though, and it makes me wonder if it's because she's too young, or because she's not a boy. And Hazel's absolute favorite part of our walk is seeing the horses. She is in love with them. She always sits forward, hits her hands on the tray in front of her, smiles and shrieks. The horses always come over to see us. They are very friendly animals. Sometimes I feed them grass and we listen to them chew so loudly.

Disclaimer: Usually I do not let the horses get quite this close to my baby. I was preoccupied with getting a picture and didn't notice until it was too late that the horse was close enough to lick Hazel's face! Luckily, my camera clicked and I slid her away just in time.