Sheep go "ba ba"

Every other Wednesday, a bunch of the ISE wives here get together for what is technically a book club, but has lately been more of a play group for the kids, and a chat session for the women.

Oh, I should maybe explain "ISE" for those back home. I actually don't even know what it stands for, but it's what they call all of us Americans who are over here with Caterpillar on temporary overseas assignments. There's a pretty strong network within the group, and it is VERY nice to have some other Americans going through USA withdrawal along with me.

Anyway, last Wednesday, since all the older kids were off school on break, we took a field trip (pretty literally) to see the baby sheep behind Holli's house. It was a very pretty walk, but a bit longer than I'd expected. Not that it was actually all that long of a walk. It's just that I was attempting to accomplish it with an independent, strong-willed daughter who does NOT want to be carried anymore. She will walk by herself, thank you very much. (She doesn't even want to have to hold my hand anymore...) Which would mostly be just fine, except for two things:

One, she has a very unique sense of direction. If everyone else is going straight, she will go right. Then left. Then do a 180 degree turn quite abruptly. Then go right again. Another 180 degree turn. All within the first minute of being on her own two feet. Personally, I think she gets a kick out of making me dizzy as I try to keep up with her...

Two, even if she were walking in exactly the same path as everyone else the whole time, she has much shorter legs than everyone else, and hence moves significantly slower.

Anyway, we did eventually get to the sheep, and the baby lambs (there were a LOT of them) were very cute. Madeline did an excellent job of telling everybody what sheep say. She's definitely got "ba ba" down pat now! I guess first-hand experience really is the best teacher!


The little white specs behind us are the sheep--there were some much closer, although we didn't get super close, or Madeline would probably have chased them. Note the "Wellies" (a.k.a. rain boots): doesn't she look British?