Did something WAY cool with my kids

[SandyRN]

My oldest came down for a couple days from his apartment up at college and flare or no flare I was determined we were doing something together. I looked online at a website of things to do here in Charlotte and found an Ostrich farm out in the boonies. My 3 kids and I packed into the car yesterday and drove out to this Ostrich farm and had the BEST time. It was so cool. The woman that owns/runs the place was a HOOT and she taught us so many neat things I never knew about Ostriches.

She actually makes soap out of the oils from their skin, roasts the bones for dog bones, and after they come back from "market" (slaughter) she sells the meat. I broke down and bought a pound of ground Ostrich. I really don't think I'm going to be able to eat a dinosaur (yes, they ARE dinosaurs) but I figured I could brown it up like ground beef, MAYBE taste a TINY little bite and give the rest to the dogs.

My brave son bought 2 lbs and took it back to school to make Ostrich tacos with. I can't wait to hear how that turned out.

We really had a great time and I was so happy I was giddy. Just me and my kids, the way we used to be before I got sick. We laughed and giggled in the car as it was about an hour each way...talked over a nice dinner when we got back. Just had a really nice day. Of course I was exhausted and in pain by the time it was all over but that was ok because I got to spend some quality time with my kids, who are not so little anymore.

So....if you have the opportunity to visit an Ostrich farm, do it. They're really amazing creatures. A little freaky too I must admit. One reached out between the fence and grabbed my shirt and wouldn't let go. I let out a few expletives that would be censored here! LOL We got to feed them and even saw one lay an egg.

Sooooooo neat.

:)

[leelee88]

LOL .. Ok thats a new one for me. But hey if its with your kids and you had a great time then thats what matters..I am just affraid of birds that are bigger than me...lol
Glad you had a good time:smile tee

[petrie86]

WOw that sounds soo interesting!!! I'm glad you had alot of fun with your kids. I went to six flags with a friend and her 6 year old niece. We drove through the safari and and we were surrounded by ostridges. They would move out of the way and they were pecking at the window. We feed them munchkins.... lol shhhh dont tell anyone. We had a blast laughing b.c theyre so odd looking.
It's nice that you had a day to spend quality time and have a blast! It makes me smile to hear good things happening to you. Lots of hugs

Rachel

p.s. I wish my mom did cool things like that!!!!

[ICNDonna]

I've heard the meat is very good plus it's healthy.

Donna

[GriffsMommy]

I'm glad you had such a good time. I must admit, I am kind of afraid of large birds myself but that's because I was chased by a swan, mean birds!

[dancemomof2]

Glad you went and had fun. I will take your word on the meat tasting LOL.I am anxious to know how it was.

[callie0767]

i am so glad you could have some quality time with your kids. it sounds interesting. sounds like fun. im glad you had a good time
courtenay

[SandyRN]

I don't like birds period but it sounded so different and fun we all decided to do it. They all thought I was the coolest thing on the planet. I haven't laughed so hard in I don't know how long. Of course I'm crying now. I really miss the good ole days when we used to pick up on the spur of the moment and just DO something.

Last weekend we went to a few garage sales and a really neat flea market and came home with gorgeous area rugs with price tags on them for over 250.00. I paid ***8.00*** for both rugs and they look GREAT in my home. We had great fun then too.

I don't know....I just feel like I'm watching them grow as I lay on the couch and I just can't stand it anymore. I don't care what I have to do, I WILL get out of this house and be with my kids, even if we just take the dogs to the park and talk. I've found that my kids are very interesting people with something to say and their own opinions on things. I really am proud of that and feel like I've raised them right and taught them to have a mind of their own.

Didn't mean to go off on another Sandy tangent, but I just can't help it. These stupid diseases have ripped away a good part of my life with my kids and even if I have to take extra pain meds, or a second hot bath of the day, or limp my way around, I AM going to make the best out of the couple of weeks of summer we have left.

I'd appreciate any advice on things we could do together that are easy for me to do. We're going through a drive through Zoo when my oldest comes back for Fall break. I can drive fine. Movies are SO expensive so that's out for the most part and that's what NetFlix is for. I mean something where we can interact and just "be". I know you mom's out there will know what I mean, and you younger girls can let me know what you did with your mom's or wish you'd done with your moms.

I'm so sick of life passing me by.

[leelee88]

Sandy, I know what you mean.. I wish I could do fun things with Doms younger kids, which somedays I can. And as far as the kids growing up its heartbreaking at times to look at thier baby pictures, which few I have left and see thier innocent faces, Geesh they grow up so fast..
All I can say is if you have small kids love and play with them like there is no tomorrow, because when they are older sometimes you might want to strangle them..lol

[Bessie]

Glad you all had such a fun time. You will always treasure those times with your kids. You are a good mommy to them :smile tee

[dg2901]

Ostrich farms are quite interesting. While I'm not too thrilled being around birds, for some reason ostriches dont bother me.
As far as their meat--its very good; though I'm vegetarian now.

Sandy, it sounds like you had a marvelous time with your kids. It doenst matter what you do, just as long and you have fun doing it and are able to chalk it up to being quality time.

Whatever you have in store for your next adventure I'm sure it'll be a blast!

:)
Diana

[mimimama]

I love ostrich meat. I've only had it once..and it was delicious. It was a steak and so yummy! i also love Buffalo meat too. very lean and not icky at all. i use it for chili and pot roast. my hubby loves it!:smile tee

[ICNDonna]

We eat buffalo burgers at our house instead of hamburger. It's much healthier for us I think. Recently Costco has carried bison patties and they are great.

Donna

[mary124]

There is an Ostrich farm in Llano, Tx not too far from Austin, maybe about 75 miles. Went many years ago when the kids were young. enjoyed it. Glad you had some quality time with your kids Sandy, as you are right, they grow up right before your eyes. One minute they are small and the next they are young adults.