Parley, a bright-eyed three-year-old with tousled hair, skips along the garden path, clutching a tiny trowel in his hand. His boots are two sizes too big, but he wears them proudly as he hurries to meet his mom by the garden beds. Mom kneels in the soil, smiling as she watches her little helper approach. "I’m ready to help, Mama!" "That’s wonderful, Parley. We have lots of seeds to plant today," she replies, patting the earth beside her.

Parley digs small holes with intense concentration, his tongue peeking from the corner of his mouth. Beetles scurry past his busy fingers, and he giggles, following a bright yellow butterfly as it dances from marigold to marigold. He returns to his task, carefully pressing tomato seeds into the earth. "Tomatoes are my favorite, Mama. When they’re red, they taste like the sun," he says, eyes shining. "They do, don’t they? We’ll have lots to eat this summer," his mom answers, nudging him with her elbow.

Parley sits cross-legged, munching on a sandwich and sharing apple slices with his mom. Crumbs dot his cheeks, and laughter bubbles up as he tries to catch a butterfly that lands on his knee. The sun dapples through the leaves, and for a moment, everything feels peaceful and perfect. "You’re a good helper today, Parley," his mom says softly. "I like helping. And I like picnics best of all," he replies, leaning against her side.

Dad, broad-shouldered and gentle, lifts Parley onto the fence so he can see better. Brother Ben and Brother Eli stand nearby, pointing out the different cows and telling stories about the herd. Suddenly, a soft bleating sound draws everyone’s attention. "Did you hear that? It sounds like a baby calf!" "Let’s go see," Dad says, leading the way.

Parley gasps in delight, clapping his hands as he peers at the soft, curious creature. The calf lets out a gentle “moo,” and Parley’s brothers grin, equally enchanted by the new arrival. "He’s so little! Can I pet him, Dad?" "Very gently, Parley. He’s just getting used to the world," Dad replies, placing a reassuring hand on his shoulder.

Parley snuggles into his mom’s lap, tired but happy, his mind full of beetles, butterflies, and the magic of the new calf. The air smells of earth and promise, and the stars begin to twinkle overhead. "What was your favorite part of today, Parley?" "All of it, Mama. I love the farm and I love you," he whispers, eyes closing as the world drifts softly into night.