My (4H) Fair Lady.

This post is dedicated to Kelly Young.  Because I am in awe of her today.  Because she deserves it.

This week I was privileged to watch Kelly in action, in her element - 4H Fair.  Kelly is on the 4H advisory council (and has the polo shirt to prove it).  And, she is a mom of three beautiful children who participated in events ranging from goat agility (I may have made that event up, but I don't think so...sheep agility?  rabbit agility?)..anyway, from agility to tractor driving.  So basically, she was queen of the fair and had to take care of her family and everyone else's.  As I recently introduced her to strapping young man at the hootenanny, "This is Kelly, she is large and in charge!"  (ok, not my best or most flattering introduction, and I was probably a little tipsy, but you get the point.)

Kelly and Alex are wonderful parents - kind, firm, loving.  Kelly is a nurturing mamma hen - she just keeps it all together, keeps everything running smoothly.  I so often here Alex call their 18 year old son "honey," and reach up to give the tall boy a kiss.  It yanks at my heartstrings with tenderness.    Their kids are passionate about animals and agriculture, and so, they as parents go the whole nine yards to give them the best experience possible.  "I have to go sheer sheep."  "I have to go de-mite chickens."  There were weeks of those statements, and not until this week did I understand the full scope of what "fair week" entailed.

Ethan, Emma, and Lucy competed with so many different animals, in so many different categories, that I had to keep my "fair schedule" in hand at all times.  Archery in this field...tractor driving in that field...divide and conquer so they each have people cheering (it takes a village folks!).  I will not, in this picture tribute, remember all of the awards won - some first places, some "thanks for participating,"  but all well earned.

there was so much plaid and denim.  it truly made me happy.

No matter what Emma was showing, she never dropped her smile (and her shirt matched the judge's, so that always helps.)

Backin' it up like a truck truck.

Archery got put on hold when a storm blew in, so I ran under the pavilion just in time to see....

the "Dress up your animal and yourself" competition (this probably has a better name, I just don't know it)!!

Vincent Van Goat.  Yes, that is a bandage over his ear.

80's Punk Rock Duck...(we meet again later)...

Finally!  A little vintage at the fair.  I love you Flapper Llama, complete with a peacock feather fascinator!

The crafts were seriously hard core good.  I want to take basket making!

...Or crayon melting! 

...Or, er, umm,   candle making?

I jest, but these kids worked really hard and put out some amazing things!

The sheep are pooped out.

So are the piggies.

Since I'm a rookie, I thought some talented person in the back carved each kids name onto a plaque when they won showmanship.  Thank god I know someone on the 4H Advisory Council who kindly straightened me out.  Emma was in the "young" kids category.  It's just a fun coincidence that her last name is Young as well.  Now that I think about that, I think she was a "junior,"  this may not even be Emma's sheep.  I'm a rookie people!

Apparently she was a junior here, not a "young,"...but she took it all folks!! Best chicken in the whole poultry barn!!

He has a perfect little blue face, but was camera shy.

Why does this rabbit look like kitten pants?

see below, compare.

Ahh!!  I was running from another storm when I saw punk rock duck again!  Did the other ducks even appreciate her?  I sure hope so.  

Way to go Rogers Corners Herdsman.  Way to go Young Family.  What a lovely week we spent with you.  Oh, and watch out.  Coco already has costumes picked out for her and her chicken next year.  Just sayin'.