County Fair 2013

Here are the results from showing 4-H projects at the county fair this year:

The kids had two days of judging for projects, and Holly participated in the Fashion Revue, modeling her pajama pants that she sewed.

Henry entered a robotics project and two art projects.  He got blue ribbons for both during judging!  When we came back to visit his projects on display, we found that he had been chosen for champion as well as state fair exhibition--which he's too young for this year.  We're hoping next year he'll be able to go to the state fair with one of his projects.

Holly entered quite a few things this year, her first as a "real" 4-Her.  Last year she was a Cloverbud, a category for the younger kids where they get practice with judging and showing, but aren't eligible for the champion/reserve champion, award of merit, etc. awards.  She decided she'd had enough of the three-project limit and wanted to really go for it!  And she did!  She entered a project in Exploring the Environment, an art project, two items of clothing, a pillowcase, and doll clothing, as well as doing the Fashion Revue show during the fair.  She was awarded five blue ribbons and one red during the conference judging.  We came back to find that she had been awarded a champion ribbon for her pillowcase, and reserve champion for her completed naturalist program!

I will have the kids explain their projects for you in more detail very soon--it will be a writing assignment for school!  Until then, here are some highlights from our week at the fair...

Robotics Judging

Fine Arts Judging

Fashion Revue Pictures

Day One results

Clothing/Sewing Judging

Day Two results

(A Bad Picture of) Fashion Revue

Fashion Revue Ribbon

Final Ribbon Tally

Watch this blog for descriptions of the kids' projects and more pictures!

Holly's New Garden

It was time this year for our little nature lover to get her own garden. We found an easy, cheap way to make a new raised garden bed, and went to work!

"Spring"

This "Spring" weather is really starting to get to us. Yet another Winter Storm Warning today. Yet another cancelled get-together.

So we are trying to keep busy. Trying to remember that it will get warm again and that the birds who already have arrived for the season will be okay. Here's a sample from today:

Because

Because it looks like this outside today (and it's not supposed to)...

We decided to do this inside:

Soon, we'll be seeing this again:

  

And we can't wait!

Holly's Nature News: Birds

1. We saw lots of Robins in our front tree making a nest or something.

2. Heard rapid bird calls.

3. We saw lots of little birds.

4. We left some yarn out for bird nests.

5. I went out and made some wind shelters for birds and put bird seed inside them. I made a big snowball and I put bird seed on it. When I was outside I found a bird nest. I showed Mom and my brother, then I filled it with bird seed and I put it back outside.

Macy's Flower Show 2013

We were fortunate enough to go downtown with Grandma and Grandpa W. and check out the last day of the indoor flower show!  The theme this year was South Asia, and it was beautiful.  Here's a picture of the kids (which, unfortunately, makes Henry's face look deformed for some reason...:( ).

Easter 2013

Easter 2013, a photo by erinkk on Flickr.

Hope everyone had a happy and peaceful Easter.