Old McDonald Had a Farm...

...and so does our neighbor.

We had a late start to the day yesterday so, in the interest of making the meeting rather than scumming to the desire to stay home, we rushed around and actually got all three of ourselves out the door and on time...but no breakfast. Needless to say after enduring a very long morning meeting with a cranky, active and hungry toddler we headed straight home.

Now we know our neighbors, we like them. We also know that they have a rooster, something like 20 hens and a baby cow. Normally, these animals are penned up and even quiet. So often, out of sight, out of mind.

That said, let me set the scene: Mom is sitting on the couch, finally enjoying her coffee (Yes I can't believe I made it thru the morning without my daily dose either!), Kid is running around like a chicken with his head cut off, and wonderful Dad is making lunch for the family. He looks up ever so casually out the kitchen window and...

"HEY, there's a cow in our yard!"

What the...? I jump up, run to the window and sure enough there's a cow. So I think, hey lets go see what Ethan thinks of a big cow. We scramble into our shoes and out the door and meet the Moo-Thing. Now I know nothing about cows, except that they taste good and wear even better, oh yeah and they poop big! So picture us: we're outside with no knowledge of what to expect but we're having a swell time talking to this cow that decided to come for a visit.

Brian's inside on the phone calling all the numbers we have for the neighbors to let them know they had an escapee, then comes out to join in the fun.

So we start talking to the cow and wandering down the driveway. The cow follows. "This is great! We can take her home," I think. "You're sweet, but please don't poop in our driveway," Brian thinks. "Yeah, I'm outside," Ethan thinks. What profound thoughts.

Anyway to make this story short, she follows us all the way home, but not into her pen. The wife neighbor comes out and confesses she knows nothing about how to handle the cow, but hubby is on his way. Now again, I know nothing about cows. But this cow is big. Not fully grown mind you, only six months old and probably about 400 lbs big though! Yikes, thank goodness there were no potty issues. So we stand around and visit and help keep "Sweet Baby" aka "Sweetie" home. Hubby arrives and Sweetie starts braying. She loves her daddy.

Ethan meanwhile, has done it again. Made another woman fall in love with him. This kid...what a flirt. He's playing the "look at me I'm cute card" and we're sharing some neighborly time. It was nice to visit and I suppose I learned something: Cows are chickens! No its true! Ethan scared the poor cow. Quite amusing actually.

Guess it goes to show you just never know what might happen or who might show up.