The chickens liked Melli better than me. Prime tried to eat her shirt. The hogs were wound up about something and Jeni wouldn't let us near them. The goats decided that my sister was their new best friend. She was completely smitten by the energetic baby goats who bounced around like they were trying to launch themselves into space.

By midday, most of the chores were done and we reported to the house when Aunt Kimi rang the dinner bell that hung by the front door. We walked inside to find our moms putting the last of the food on the table.

At a scowl from her mom, Jeni shoved...