This title pretty well sums up our recent experience at the county fair. This is the first year all 3 of our kids showed cattle at the fair. So, while they had worked with their animals before the school year ended, the dedicated hours of preparation increased immensely once school was over. There were many hours of the day spent washing animals, brushing them, lots of walking and practicing for show, and just time spent hanging out in the barn with the herd.

KIDS

I guess we have gradually worked into this project over the years. Our oldest son has shown for about 8 years, and our younger son has 5 years under his belt. So, this year it was finally time for little sister to have her chance! As the parent, I had forgotten some of the beginner level feelings and needs. I have gotten used to the boys being so experienced and independent. So, it was back to basics again this year. The big brothers actually enjoyed helping their sister and sharing their knowledge with her. They also quickly realized how helpful she was and could help with the workload. It was very heart-warming to watch all our kids work together.

COWS

My husband and I have always had cattle. There have been ebbs and flows to the herd over the years depending on what else took precedence on the farm. But, with the kids being interested and involved in taking the cattle for 4-H projects, the herd has taken a more prominent place in recent years. I have also noticed the crazy amount of pictures of cows I have on my camera. Many of the pictures have the kids in them and are used for record books. But, there are just lots of pictures of cows on there too. We have purchased a few animals and focused on making sure our cows were bred at certain times so calves would be born at appropriate times to be 4-H projects to be exhibited at the fair. Our oldest has taken joy in raising a farm-born calf and raising it to be a market steer, seeing the project truly from beginning to end. Our younger children are more inclined to stick with breeding animals that can be brought home from the fair and raise more babies.

SWEET TEA

Sweet tea is always my beverage of choice! I was raised on it and continue to indulge in it. We drank a pitcher of tea a day at my house growing up. Now, most every restaurant and convenience store has it available and we drink our fair share of it. Although, it is hard to beat fresh brewed tea sweetened with real sugar.

Our kids drink a lot of tea too and fair week is no exception. There is a local food vendor who sets up at the fair each year and they have sweet tea for $1.00. I cannot imagine the number of one dollar bills our family alone has laid on their counter over the years. I think they start pouring the tea when they see us coming! We are glad to support local, tea is more refreshing than pop, and it is something that five of us agree on.

Kids, cows, and sweet tea pretty well sums up our fair experience but our farm life as well.