The Clover Kids were up first, and once that was done we were free to sit back and watch the 4-H'ers show their cats. On our way out we stopped and added the ribbon from the cat show to the booth.
an unincorporated life
Thursday, July 22, 2010
County Fair 2010 - Part 2
County Fair 2010 - Part 1
Monday, May 11, 2009
Another sign of spring
Sunday, May 10, 2009
I think I'm hooked
I now remember reading or discussing somewhere that our nation's capital was built on a swamp, and boy will that cause some issues once people aren't around to maintain the drainage systems that take care of that pesky little water problem. I felt more sorry for D.C. than I did L.A., not sure what that says about me, good, bad or otherwise. Part of it was that they talked about the animals at the D.C. zoo and how they might adapt or not, and part of it is that I'm more drawn to the monuments, museums and history of D.C. than I am the bright lights of L.A., which would of course not be bright for so long once humans are gone.
They also featured what would happen to some of the monuments. I have a special affinity for the Lincoln Memorial, as Honest Abe has always been a favorite president of mine, and a very special little lady in my life happens to share a birthday with him. It was sad to watch it disintegrate, collapse and disappear under the encroaching water.
Ironically, we were just discussing Washington, D.C. the other day. N asked if the church next to his daycare was where the president lived, because it has "a big round roof." I said no, that the president does not live inside the First United Methodist Church, but instead lives in the White House in Washington, D.C.. He said "oh yes, that's right," and wouldn't it be neat to go there someday to see where the president lives. I agreed, secretly thrilled as I think I could spend weeks there. After viewing this show, I now feel a greater sense of urgency.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Are you ready for some football?
M & N have now settled in for the night (I hope!) in tents in the living room for a camp out. I was invited to join, and did for a bit, but a night spent sleeping on the floor doesn't quite hold the appeal it once does, so I snuck back into my room and my comfortable bed.
(Pictures to follow)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Remembering
Obviously, the day took a different path. The horror of what had been done chilled me to the bone. Literally. I just remember feeling cold. I wanted nothing more than to crawl into bed and burrow under the quilt until the chill went away. I wasn't sure it ever would, and I mourned the fact that my child would soon be entering a world where people treated each other like this.
Seven years later, the chill is mostly gone, but a bit of it still lingers and causes a slight shiver from time to time. That's ok. We need to remember those feelings from that horrible day. It makes days like today even better, when after a crazy day at work and a mad dash across town filled with snarled traffic, the munchkins and I wrapped up the day enjoying the sights and sounds and candy of the high school's homecoming parade.
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
August
Miss M continued the family tradition of entering something at the Fair. She entered a planter with three plant varieties in the Junior Floriculture division, and was thrilled to receive a third place ribbon. (Note the other chicken planter behind hers. What are the chances that there would be two chicken planters in the same class?)
N also loves the Fair. The pictures below are a small representation of what would be his perfect day at the Fair. He could do this all day. Seriously. From the moment we parked the truck until we are leaving, this is what he wants to do.
Red tractors, blue tractors, green tractors, he sat on them all. And would still be sitting there if he had his way. Some implement dealer is really missing out on a money making opportunity. Fence in your tractors, hire some child development specialists and run a day care during the Fair. There's a market for it. I was not the only parent spotted dragging a screaming child from a tractor (several times) in order to see the rest of the Fair.
And there is so much more to see and do at the Fair. We spent a great deal of time at the 4-H building looking at projects and doing working exhibits. 4-H er's are an amazing bunch. We also spent a great deal of time in the various animal barns. The big boar and big bull are favorites, especially of Miss M.
The Little Hands on the Farm exhibit is a must-do on our list every year, and almost every day that we attend. The kids love the opportunity to "be a farmer." The best part is selling their crops and receiving the dollar which they can then spend at the general store. N most always buys an apple, Miss M a bomb pop.
Here, M, N & Grandma are finishing up planting their seeds. The love of the Fair is truly in the family, and we're lucky to have so many people to share the experience with. My aunt, my cousin and her two daughters joined us the first day. We spent the next evening there with Grandpa & Grandma Z. My sister Mary flew in from Colorado for a few days, then my other sister Lynn finally arrived for the last weekend. (Perhaps as this blogging thing takes a stronger presence in my life, I'll remember to take pictures of these special people when our paths cross.)
Aside from one rainy day, the weather was beautiful (translation: not hot nor humid), and attendance records were broken. It was a good Fair all around, and we hated to see it come to a close.
We have a tree in our backyard that always drops it's first leaves of the fall the day after the Fair ends. This year was no different.
Two days after it ended, the school bus pulled up to the end of our driveway and Miss M was off to first grade. Again, where has the time gone?
She was excited to be back and see her friends and get back to the business of learning. It's fun to hear about her days and experiences, even though I still miss her riding down to daycare with N & I.
I'll leave you with some shots of the kids on their bikes. This has been a bit of a challenge, so it's so fun to watch them go.