4-H times three

 

Yep, three days, in a row, of 4-H activities.  If you count preparation in the preceeding days, we can up the total days pre-occupied with ‘things’ 4-H.  It’s June.  We kicked it off with a 4-H packed week and we’ll end the month with Achievement Days.

THURSDAY:

This past Thursday, the kids took part in the County Showcase, where Dash participated in the Project Expo and Eva participated in both the Sew & Show and the Buy & Show.  I had plenty of experience with the Sew & Show as a kid, absolutely no experience with Buy & Show or the Project Expo.  Thank goodness for our kind county agent, who willingly gave up her ‘registration’ card table for Dash.  We won’t forget a card table next year.

Dash reworked his Vibrobot science fair presentation for the Project Expo.  The exhibit must be related to a 4-H project; since Dash is enrolled in electricity, the Vibrobot exhibit was perfect.  He’s been given the opportunity to compete at the ND State Fair in July.

Mmmm …. forgot to take a ‘nice’ picture of Greg & his set-up. 

Angelina sewed a denim skirt for the Buy & Show.  She finished hemming it that morning.  I’d have preferred to have been done a month ago … to where did the month of May fly?  Anyway, sewing two days before the deadline leads to short-cuts.  I justified using white thread in the serger on dark blue denim with the fact that this is her first sewing project … and she isn’t experienced enough in changing the threads.  Next year.

 

Above: Sew & Show – the denim skirt

 

Above: Buy & Show – skirt & top

Her participation in the Buy & Show was a bit last minute, but since we’d just done a bit of shopping for her it made sense.  The information was fresh in her mind, so the comparison sheet was easy to fill out.  She’s eligible to compete in both contests at the State Fair.  Guess that means a trip to Minot in July.

What to the rest of us do during the down time???  Here’s a picture or two…

 

 

 

As for me, well I amuse myself by taking pictures.

FRIDAY:

Up early to head to the Bear Creek Lodge for the 4-H Communication Arts Contest.  Angelina and Dash participated in the Junior Serious Reading Interpretation.  Both wrote a longer introduction to ensure that their readings were longer than 3 minutes (they were a little nervous at the county event and trimmed over 30 seconds … thus needed to add more to the introduction).  Angelina did well.  She’s a little timid and needs to increase the volume a bit for next year.  Dash received an honorable mention! 

 

Dash receiving his ribbon (third from Left) and Angelina on the right.

 

SATURDAY:

Eric and the four oldest kids headed to a 4-H Showmanship workshop.  They learned how to fit & show beef, sheep, rabbits & poultry.  I think there were pigs, too.  It was an all afternoon event.  The kids learned a lot.  The knowledge will come in handy when showing and getting ready for Achievement Days later this month.

Entering the double digit years

She’s 10!  Hard to believe, but true.  Our only girl (thus far, God willing) is 10 today.  Angelina is a graceful, cheerful, tenderhearted helper.  Her sweet voice can lull her baby brother to sleep, but don’t let that fool you, she’s a toughie when it comes to ‘laying down the rules’ with her other brothers.  Paper dolls and Polly Pockets still entertain, but books and reading remain her steadfast favorite pastimes.  She has a soft spot for kittens, rabbits, chickens … pretty much any animal, actually.

She’s a little bit of sweet and little bit of quiet in our days.  Thank you, Lord, for the gift of our daughter! 

Chick & Hen Update

The little chicks are not so little anymore.  They’ve outgrown their home in the garage and have been moved to the Wahoo.  The Wahoo is an old hog farrowing barn (NOT a confinement farrowing barn according to my hubbie).  Dividers were removed so the chicks can roam around in about 1/3 of the space.  They have access to the outside & have been absolutely enjoying their new digs.  A big thank you to my dad (Grandpa Golden Acres) for all the help repairing and fixing up the Wahoo for the chicks.

 

 

Louis came out with me to see the chicks.  Our trips outside are far & few between it seems. 

 

The wouldn’t normally be crowded around their feeders, but someone forgot to fill them in the morn.  THAT will NOT happen again.  I felt awful and was thankful we didn’t loose any of the chicks.  Thank goodness it was a cool day & they scratched around outside for food.

 

The hens have a new area to dig around in, too.  We set up the poultry netting so that there is a narrow walkway down to the shaded area under a tree.  The grass is still tall, but they’ve dug out little dust bath areas and paths through the grass.  The hens act just like little chicks when they find a worm or tasty bug.  One grabs it and runs around … the others give chase!

 

 

 

Graham’s Birthday … in silent review

 
 
 
 
 
 

“I’m four!”

… says Graham with a happy and determined grin.

Grandma & Grandpa Golden Acres came last week with cake and presents to celebrate.  Grandma & Grandpa Green Acres will be over tonight for cake & ice cream.  Of course, there will be presents, too. 

Happy 4th Birthday!

 

Bottomless appetite for cookies …

Graham is my little spit-fire and he’s a ball of energy.  That’s a good thing because he’s used it to keep up with his siblings.  He can run in rubber boots and has enough determination to push his trike through the grass all the way to Grandma Green Acres’ home.  At four, he likes imagination play – dress up, farm machinery, Fisher Price little people, Legos.  He enjoys a good book with mom or dad or Angelina or Dash (he hasn’t been able to convince Zeke to read to him, yet!).  Graham is also a neat-nik.  Given his way, he’d keep everything in his room tidy … except for the socks under his bed.  He can be stubborn; must have picked up that trait from his mom.  He’s also obedient and if asked to do a task does not pause or object, but is prompt. 

About a month ago, he asked me if he could wear a scapular.  It took me a few weeks to remember to bring the scapular to Mass, but when I asked him a couple Sundays ago, he still wanted to be able to wear it.  So, we asked Father and Graham was enrolled.

Baptism – June 4, 2006 – Yes! He’s two days old in this picture.  Graham was a big baby, too, at just a few ounces over 10 lbs.

 

 

Dance Recital

Angelina’s dance recital was last Tuesday.  We left early and were there pretty much all day. A friend offered a home to us during the off hours between rehearsal, dress rehearsal & the recital.  We packed lunch, supper and snacks for the day.  Thankfully, Louis slept and played at the most appropriate times.  The actual recital was ONLY about 1.5 hours long.  Angelina was in three dance … jazz, tap and ballet.