It's fair time (day 1)!!

The Overbrook fair started today.  The kids were a great help and we managed to get everything there and entered on time!  Curley is super excited to go on an adventure!  

Quincy and her bff. They are the goat barn goobers.  I love how excited they are and how they get along so well!   They were even well behaved today.  

There is currently a ban on moving poultry in the state of Kansas which has cancelled fair shows for poultry, including the state fair poultry show.  The fair board decided to create an alternative for the kids in poultry. They were allowed to do an educational display and were judged on their poultry knowledge. Preston and Quincy both participated.  Preston made a display about Avian Flu, and Quincy did a display about parts of a chicken, and raising meat chickens.  

They both spent a long time talking to the judge.  

Preston was the grand champion and Quincy got reserve.  It was pretty cool to know they used the knowledge they have acquired.  

Quincy and Preston also baked cookies for the food show and they both decided to do consultation judging.  They both got purple on their food. 

Harper and Saige also made some foods and we entered in open class.  Harper had a complete meltdown because they gave her a blue ribbon.  She hates blue this week!  I tried to explain that blue is the best for open class but she still didn't want a blue ribbon.  :)

Quincy took horticulture this year as well and although I sure don't think we planted pumpkins, that is about all we have in our garden this year.  Quincy's volunteer pumpkin got a red.  Not too shabby for something you didn't even work on!  

We were in the midst of judging and washing and entering and weighing at lunch time.  Jim was kind enough to come over and bring pizza.  Totes and Buttee went crazy trying to eat with us.  It was so funny!  

The pig show was this evening.  Prestons's pig, abraHAM stinkin did not make weight.  He still got to show but he can't sell at the auction. Colin made it by one pound!  

Preston and Colin both did ok at the show.  Their hogs got red ribbons and they both got blues in showmanship.  I have to say that I was very proud at how they helped each other and worked together.  

Weekend

Colin and Cameron decided to take Preston and Quincy to Worlds of Fun.  I believe that they all had fun.  P and Q had to make a vow that they would ride every ride no matter how scared they were.  

Colin texted and said that although Preston looked terrified he never chickened out!  They must have had fun because they haven't stopped talking about it. 

Saturday we went to watch Quincy's best friend show her horse.  We had a great time and even learned a few things about horses.  

Jims sister was in town for a few days.  We enjoyed visiting with her and having Sarah stay with us.  I put Sarah and the girls to work cooking for a picnic.  Somehow I didn't get photos of all their creations or the work that they did.  

Football time

Preston is really excited to finally be old enough for tackle!  He had his first practice last night.  He had so much fun.

Personally, I can't believe summer flew by so fast that we are even talking about football season!   This photo and practice was after attempting enrollment for the kids though, so I think we are on the downhill slide back to school, fall sports, crazy schedules and whatnot.  I am going to go into denial mode and try to enjoy the rest of summer!  

Fun weekend

It has been quite a ride this weekend!   We started out at the fairground clean up day.  Since Jim had emergency management training, and all the big kids had to work, the littles and I went to see what we could do to help.  We did a lot of sweeping, shoveling, and weed pulling.  The kids worked very hard and even though we didn't have much help, we got a lot done. 

The kids found a toad with a protruding growth in its back.  It was pretty sad and yucky.  

We are down to just one kitten left of the litter.  She seems to be getting stronger and is eating well.  She was definitely born with a full grown cat cry!

Rader is cute and funny and looks a lot like Johnny.  He is not a smuggler like Johnny was though.  He is fond of bags,sacks, purses, and boxes.

We worked a lot outside this weekend.  After working up a sweat, we are all especially thankful that the pool is here.  

Harper has worked very hard on her swimming this summer.  She has graduated from a life jacket to water wings.  She doesn't really need the wings , except she gets tired and our pool is about 6 inches above her head. 

Cameron is still trying to master the unicycle.  He is actually getting pretty good at it.  He can go about 10 feet now.  Practice makes perfect I guess.  

Jim and Colin have been working for a few days on our lawn mower.  I get a huge kick out of Curley trying to help them.  She is the funniest goat ever!  

When we got home from mass this morning, I told the kids I needed some help cleaning up the house.  About 30 minutes later I saw that Preston was completely crashed....he went camping with friends last night and said he went to sleep at 4 am.  Next thing I knew, all four of the littles were crashed out!  Their idea of cleaning needs some updating.  

This evening Jim and the kids were trimming trees and picking up branches.  Colin was helping with his truck.  The kids were allowed to ride in the back since they were just in the yard.  It was a big, big deal!  In order to distract Saige from wanting to ride back there, Colin let her drive!  

He also let Preston and Quincy drive.  Quincy almost ran over Jim and she spun out and threw mud everywhere.   I am pretty sure her driving career is over.  At least for a few more years!!!  

Harper loves pigs.  She is partly responsible for how friendly they are!

Preston and Colin have been practicing walking and driving hogs.  

Preston doesn't understand driving a big baby.  He actually told me he would rather have a friend than a trophy.  I reminded him that this particular friend is going to be sold at auction.  

Unicycle riding, pig training and whatever else we did this weekend were all challenges.  Which may explain why Harper decided to take on her own challenge....teaching the kitten to walk on 2 legs!  

I love our weekends.  I have to figure out how to make them to last longer!