Our Outing to Crooked River State Park

Peyton took these pictures today at Crooked River State Park today. I hope that you enjoy them as much as I do!

"the view is fabulous from here"

"wait Peyton, this is my better side"

Ginger is just strolling along checking out the scenery!

"I know I can fit, I haven't grown that much"

"I know I can make it over this tiny twig..I think I can, I think I can"

Peyton's Pictures and First Blog Post!

Peyton took all of these pictures. We let the babies walk in the grass and have some mushrooms. I think Peyton has found his calling, these pictures are better than any that I have taken, GO PEYTON! This was the first time that the babies were outside in the grass. They had so much exploring something new. Enjoy!

Learning

A Learning Process

I just read my blog from the beginning and I realized how much that have learned through this process. I now know that Rosie, Ginger and Cecil do not need an afternoon snack. If they are out and awake I can offer them some mushroom or squash but only if they are already awake. They do not necessarily have to get up at 7:30am for breakfast, all three of them actually like to sleep in until round 9:00ish. I bring them outside around 8:30 and mist their pen, then I go inside and fix their breakfast and by the time I come back outside they are all out and waiting for me to give them their bath. They seem much more relaxed this way, when they can get up on their own without me waking them up. I love to cuddle with them and rub their shell and head but only on their time and schedule. I have noticed they come out more now and they enjoy their time with me. I have read that red foot tortoises have distinct personalities and they love their humans...this is absolutely true (I didn't believe it at first either but they do)!

Everyday I feed them 3 different greens, mushrooms, oputina and squash or zucchini, twice a week they get papaya or mango and one day a week they get a small amount of tomato, on the days they don't get fruit or tomato they have carrots. I have been petrified to give them tomato since our respiratory scare but they LOVE tomato so they get a small amount occasionally. I used to give them fruit and/or tomato every other day and I quickly realized this was way too much. I have also learned a lot about their pen. When Rosie, Ginger and Cecil first came to me I didn't realize I had to "plant" the greens in their pen therefore, it was very sparse. Gabby was gracious enough to give us plenty of seeds so we can plant their food on our own. This is safer as it is organic and cheaper! I planted some seeds and then transplanted them into their pen and now they have coleus, hosta, nasturtium and dandelion in their pen. They all like to bury and sleep under the plants. I'm sure that there is a lot more for me to learn and I am ready for the challenge. Enjoy!!

Brandee's Graduation Party!

I thought that I would share this photo with all of my friends on blogger. My best friend Brandee(third from the left) graduated with her Masters Degree in Education a few weeks ago and I went to see her this weekend to celebrate with her and her family. Brandee and I have been best friends for over 20 years and her family is my family, we are so proud of her!

Melissa Winters (Brandee's sister), Me, Brandee, Jenna Rae (Brandee's Aunt)

Loving Life!

Here are some random pictures of the babies, Brent and Peyton. They are growing so fast and we are enjoying them very much. I went away for the weekend and I could not stop talking about the babies and calling Brent to check on them. It was the first time that I left them alone and I am almost embarrassed to say that I was very very worried about the the entire time I was gone. I gave Brent very detailed and explicit directions on how to care for them in my absence and I am proud to say he took excellent care of them.

"Wait, this is my good side"

Just a good picture I had to put it in twice (I messed up and cant figure out how to take it off, lol).
"Heller"

"I love to cuddle"

Right there Peyton that's the perfect spot!

Home Sweet Home

Hmmm...Where is she going?

Snack Time For Rosie

Yesterday afternoon Brent and I were sitting by the pool and enjoying the wonderful weather of south Georgia. I went up to check on the babies and Rosie was sun bathing, she was enjoying the early fall afternoon also. I went inside and got her a few mushrooms to have for a snack. It is almost as if she knew I was coming back with a treat for her because she was waiting by the side of her pen looking up to see me. I brought her over to our table and gave her an afternoon treat.....

I see it, I see it, watch out mushroom here I come....

Almost there....

Got it! These things move all over the table, but never fear I used my stealth like abilities to grab it...

With just a little bit of persistence I got my mushroom, whew!

Growing.....

So last night while lying in bed trying desperately to go to sleep I had a fabulous idea, at the beginning of each month I'm going to post their growth. I know when they are all grown up it will be awesome to see how much they grew each month. I didn't realize how hard it would be to take a picture of them next to a ruler, no one wanted to be still. I'm sure with time I will get better at taking the pictures while they are in motion. I apologize the picture of Rosie's pretty face is a bit blurry, I'm still figuring out this camera as I was not blessed with the technology gene. I hope that you will enjoy watching them grow as I am.

Cecil wouldn't stop moving

Cecil with food all over his face

We are going back to bed, See ya!

Rosie

Rosie enjoyed her breakfast, she is going to save some for later

Ginger

Ginger has a little bit of food on her face, she is a polite eater (believe that if you want to)