Fair is Rewarding

 Amana and Anlynn were up bright and early Monday morning to prepare for Swine Showmanship.  Decked out in their white t-shirts, jeans and cowboy boots, they were ready...except for some nerves!  Since they were in the junior division, they were able to watch the older kids and learn from them.  There was a lot of waiting around and being anxious.

Then suddenly it was showtime!

   The girls were entered in to classes, each class had 6 or 7 other kids with their pigs.  All 7 or 8 of them showed their pigs in the ring at the same time.  Armed with a swatter or cane, each child just kind of nudges the pigs in the direction you hope they go.  Basically, the pigs do whatever they want while you follow them and smile at the judge!

Anlynn went first.

 She jumped right in, and did a great job.  

While they show the pigs, they have to continue to groom them.  The girls had little brushes in their back pockets to whip out at a moment's notice.  While all the pigs and kids are running around the arena, the judge stops them one by one to ask questions.  The judge asks about the pig, the breed, the food, etc.  This interview is an important part of Swine Showmanship.  Plus, it builds confidence and interview skills in shy little girls.  :)

 Amana was up a few classes later.  She did a great job, too.

 Both girls came away with Blue Ribbons for their showmanship.  Amana was a little disappointed (she tends to be quite a perfectionist), but Anlynn was just relieved she made it out alive.  What we didn't realize was that as soon as Showmanship was over, they had to go back out with their pig for the pig itself to be judged.  The girls were much more relaxed this time, having survived the first round.  Their cute little piggies weren't what the judge was looking for and were both awarded blue ribbons.

It was a super long day.  We were thankful my mom, dad, and grandma were able to be there.  They had fun watching the girls navigate this new experience. 

Lige also enjoyed a new experience.  Somehow he ended up wrangling pigs to and from their pens during the entire show.  Apparently you have to be willing and look capable!  I love that my man just jumps in and helps where there's need.  Don't get me wrong, he loved it, too!  Lige has had many different jobs over the years, so I know he appreciates a day he can literally throw his weight around!  He received a hamburger, french fries and some bruises as thanks for his help.  :)

Wednesday morning was the auction.  We didn't really know what to expect.  What ended up happening was that the girls got to show their pigs one last time in front of bidders.  Once done, they led their piggies onto a trailer headed to (gulp) the butcher.  

Amana cried a little.  So did I.  Anlynn asked why everyone was crying!

  Blue ribbon hogs got a base bid of $2/lb.  Amana's pig went first and received a bid of $2.25/lb.  Anlynn's pig was smaller and went for $2/lb.  It'll be a while before they receive their money, but when they do we will set up a checking account for each of them.  From their account they'll need to settle the feed bill.  We had thought about having them pay Lige and I back for the cost of their pig, but I think we will call that a donation to get them started.  They've earned a lot of money, but they are learning that you have to plan ahead on how you're going to spend it.  They are already talking about what animals to show next year...and we're already telling them they'll have to save enough to invest in the animals for next year!

On the whole, the girls did great at fair this year.  Amana and Anlynn both received purple ribbons on the construction of their garments and their oatmeal cookies.  Anlynn got a purple ribbon on a photography display. 

Amana had two things qualify for State Fair: the outfit she made and a baby toy she made for Infant Development!  Harrison even received 2 ribbons for Clover Kid projects (which I had simply set up on the Club's table Sunday, having forgotten to register them on Saturday... but which Miss Shari from the extension office kindly still awarded him for!).

 We love 4H.  Really.  

I love that it requires immediate application of skills and knowledge.

I love that the things they learn in 4H are skills for real life, in the real world.

I love that my kids have learned that hard work can be very rewarding...and not just financially.

I love that many of the resources are free.

I love the sense of community and comradery that is fostered in 4H.

I love that 4H provides my kids with opportunities to build confidence, push through fears, and do things they never thought they could do.

Again, we love 4H!

And we are so proud of our girls!

 ~*~

On a sentimental little note: At one point the girls were sharing with my grandma something about their pigs.  She fumbled a little then said, "I almost said 'I'll have to tell Grandpa about that,' but I guess I can't."  It was a sad little moment, and tears stung my eyes as I remembered how he would have loved to hear all about it.  Every single Monday I visited him in hospice he would ask two questions. "When did you get in?"  and "How are the pigs?"  I think it amused him to think his city-slicker granddaughter was helping her girls wrangle pigs.  I can just imagine his face if I told him how the girls used Ivory dish soap to wash their pigs!  

I'm sad that I only get to imagine it.