Achievement Day Summary

Dash and Angelina

have completed their first

4-H Achievement Days!

Tuesday:
Interview judging started at 10:15a for our club and both did well. They received blue ribbons on all their projects after this first step. The whole family went out to eat for lunch, then went home for a nap! Well, Graham and Zeke napped in the car on the way home and I napped at home, in the comfort of my own bed. For some reason I was exhausted.

Static exhibits were open for viewing from 2-8pm later that day. Two tables of champion projects were set up. The kids were both surprised and pleased to find they each had a project at the front of the room. Angelina's childcare (activity bag) and Dash's gardening (container herb garden) both received purple champion ribbons.

We ate at the community sponsored picnic and then headed over the Zeke and Dash's baseball games to finish off the day on Tuesday. Grandma and Grandpa Green Acres joined us to view the projects, eat at the picnic and watch a bit of baseball. Grandma Golden Acres also traveled down to watch baseball and will watch the kids show their rabbits on Wednesday.

Wednesday:

Dash and Angelina show their Mini-Lop rabbits - Checkers and Comet. The rabbits have been cleaned (yes, they needed a bit of a bath) and the kids have been practicing diligently the last couple days on showing and handling their pets. The judging started at 9:30a. They showed their rabbits as 'pets' and then participated in rabbit showmanship. I asked, and the judge was so kind as to go through everything about showmanship with them after their class. Ours were the only rabbits shown. So, both won a blue for their rabbits and received blue ribbons in showmanship. Dash won the purple champion in the 'pets' division.

Rabbit Showmanship - Dash with Comet and Angelina with Checkers

4-H is such a great way to learn. Wish I would've thought to ask her to go through a similar demonstration with poultry so our kids could benefit.

Dash competed in the tractor driving (lawn tractor, that is) this afternoon. He hadn't practiced all the skills that needed, so it was an dventure and fun to watch, as well! His participation was a bit of a last minute decision, but why not?? An even more last minute decision was that Angelina also participated! I don't believe she's ever driven anything. Both did well, in my opinion. Angelina is a bit light and small, so someone had to push down on the seat (the lawn tractor will not run if the seat isn't weighted down enought), so that she could sit forward to reach the forward and reverse pedals.

At 3pm, all the static exhibits needed to be picked up (or packed) and a final decision as to their entry at the state level decided. We had planned to send just a few, but Eric decided that he'll make a run up to Minot to enter them. Grandma Golden Acres has agreed to pick up the exhibits at the end of the ND State Fair.

Dash, Angelina, and Zeke stayed to watch the large animal show tonight, with their Dad. He wanted them to see what it's all about. We hope to have the kids show a larger variety of animals in the future ... I grew up showing sheep, rabbits, and chickens for the most part, but also tried equine halter showmanship and beef. Eric showed hogs and chickens.

Showing is a lot of fun, but there's also a LOT of work on the backside. We aren't set up for larger animals, yet, but I've been so wanting a few chickens! Am I ready for this??? Sure, on this side of our first Achievement Days ... bring it on!!

Angelina withe her projects and ribbons, above.

Dash with his projects and ribbons, above.