Some adversity

Today was a busy (and extremely hot) day. We had a rabbit show, a poultry show and a goat show.  Because we wouldn’t want anything to do tomorrow.   

Harper was the reserve champion senior  Rabbit showman.  If you know Harper at all, you will understand that giving a presentation on all your rabbit knowledge to a judge is so not in her comfort zone.  I am so proud of her.  Saige also did rabbit showmanship.  Saige did a great job as well and received a blue ribbon.   

My photos are a little out of order, but I think you can tell what is what based on animals in the photos.  Evelyn did poultry showmanship with her rooster.  She got a blue ribbon.  She has a knack for talking to a judge!  

Our rabbits didn’t show very well.  The Flemish giant babies we bought are apparently crossbreeds or at the very least not good quality.  We knew their fur was a little discolored but they had bigger issues apparently.  Harper’s blue  mini Rex doe had a penis - which they let slide but he also had white toenails. White ribbon.  Harper’s senior mini Rex doe who is supposed to weigh 4 pounds or less weighed 5.5 pounds. White ribbon. 

Saige had 2 blues on her junior buck and doe in the black mini Rex class.  

Evelyn’s rooster got a blue ribbon. Harper’s which is almost identical got a white ribbon for having white wing feathers.  All of their pullets got blues.  

Evelyn’s first official 4-H goat show.  She worked hard and did a great job. 

Evie got a blue in showmanship.  She also got a blue in the 70-100 pound meat goat class.  

Showmanship for the older girls went a little crazy. Saige’s goat fell over on its side and refused to get up. We had to scratch her.  Harper’s goat wiggled out of the halter and head butted her in the jaw.  Scratch.  

Evie got a little confused on where to walk but overall did great.

In the regular meat goat class,, Saige’s goat got a blue ribbon.  Harper’s goat got reserve champion for the 50-70 pound class.  Harper got to show her goat in the grand drive.  She did great.  Especially when you consider that her goat she worked with had issues so we subbed this goat in 4-5 days ago.  No time to really work with her. 

Saige tried hard but this goat of hers did not want to cooperate.  It’s sort  of funny - she worked hard all summer….a week ago I would have told you this was the best of the walkers we had going (except for Whitey).  Tonight- this goat royally embarrassed Saige.  It still got a blue ribbon somehow.  Saige is now fully invested in sending her to freezer camp!

Rotten little jerk. 

Funny side note - I am standing at the gate giving Saige a minute to see if she can get the goat to cooperate.  I hear a kid say "is that a fainting goat?"  Uhhh No!  No it is not!  :) 

I’m proud of all my girls.  So much hard work. So much literal sweat.  And one thing about 4-H - it teaches you how to deal with adversity.  

 

Fair days

The girls and I managed to get all the projects entered into the fair. The goats got weighted, and their flowers got judged. 

Harper got a blue on her single stem annual  and a purple on her single stem perineal.  

Saige got blues on her single stem annual and perineal. 

The goats were weighed in.  Evelyn’s goat,  Stitch was 76 pounds. 

Saige’s goat - Darlington was 67 pounds. 

Harper’s goat, Polyanna was 63 pounds.  

Wrenley is showing her goat in the pet show.  He didn’t need to be weighed in for that.  But not doing what the other kids were doing made her cry, so we slapped him on the scale.  He was 43 pounds!   I can’t believe that bag of bones weighs that much.  He must have very heavy bones.  Whitey is the ugliest goat we have ever owned. 

He is also the most loved goat we have ever owned.  

The girls attended the livestock exhibitors meeting and then the free lunch from the Fairboard. 

They have rabbits, goats and chickens plus their flowers entered.  This is Evelyn’s first year in 4-H.  She is pretty excited.  Her baking exhibits received 3 purple ribbons.  

Today was hot.  Tomorrow is forecasted to be worse.  Hoping we don’t melt.  

 

Fun weekend

We have had a long and fun weekend around here.  I took Friday off so that we could have a little overnight visitor.  Colin and Spencer went to KC to a concert with Cameron and Tatum - sort of a fun get away for a late anniversary fun.  We were excited to have some time with our sweet Easton!  He is such an easy going and sweet baby.  I think they were worried about him not sleeping.  I said who cares - we will just hang out and since it was only one night I would be just fine!   He went to bed like a champ, slept most of the night with zero real issues and then was up and the happiest little guy ever at 5 am.  I got several hours of sleep and several hours of uninterrupted baby snuggles and squishes. I love that little sweet boy! 

The girls came out to get some baby time too. We all enjoyed his visit! 

Did I mention he woke up happy?  He is the cutest little dude.  So sweet and smiling.  I thought he was really happy.  Until his parents walked in.  He started giggling and clapping and was just overjoyed to see his mom and dad. It was so sweet! 

To me, Easton  looks like his mom.  Especially through his eyes and nose. In photos. In person. When he smiles.  I see Spencer. But once in a while I see a little flash of Colin.  I think it’s the big cheeks and the bright blue eyes.  It makes me smile.  Colin was always such a happy sweet little boy too.  Doesn’t matter much - he is stinking cute and we are all in love.  

The concert goers had a lot of fun.  At least from what I was told.  

Boys never really grow up do they?  

My plan was to work on Saturday for a while.  That plan took a backseat to enjoying the weekend and working like a dog.  Jim worked on our new chicken pen and mowed.  I worked on finding the vegetables through the weeds.  The garden had gotten pretty bad with how little I have been home and an enormous amount of rain.  I got most of the rows weed wacked.  I picked some cucumbers and zucchini.  Jim and I also went grocery shopping and we planned out fair week easy foods and quick snacks.  When I tell you we were out of everything I am not exaggerating.  Happy to have that task done for a minute.  Preston and Sunny came home as well - they moved their belongings from Sunny’s Aunt’s garage into their own places.  Preston seemed relieved to get that task done.  He is done with his internship, but is spending the week with Sunny  in Springfield, and then attending her sister’s wedding. They will be back for a few days before school starts back up.  I can’t believe how dang fast this summer went by. 

The little girls got their dad to take them fishing. 

These old girls made clay art together.  I was impressed with their creations.  

Fair time must be near - because today we found ourselves at the fair ground cleanup and fair set up day.  The little girls worked really hard.  The big girls worked really hard as well.  I believe that everything is ready to go this week, and we are excited about fair time.  

It was really really hot out there.  We had to come home and cool off in the pool before Sunday dinner.  The girls then walked their goats one last trip down the driveway, and we got their scrapie’s tags in.  Wrenley had an absolute meltdown because she thought the goat was getting his ears pierced and she wanted BOTH of her goat’s ears done.  Did I indulge her and give him 2 tags?  Yes I did!  Poor Whitey. 

And now, we have one day to get everything gathered up and finish our little projects because it’s time!