This was Lydia's first year of 4-H. She decided to to a swine project since our county doesn't do dairy projects (ours is the only dairy in the county). I can't believe how easy pigs are!!! After taking steers to the fair for 9 years while growing up and knowing how much work is involved with them, I've decided pigs are the way to go! She really loved raising her pigs. She was more than happy to spend time walking them, feeding them, and giving them baths.
Here she is with Curly...her awesome pig that BARELY made weight...whew!
(Goblin, her other pig did not make weight so we were relieved to have one make it)
While Lydia was having fun being part of the 4-H action, the rest of us had a great time watching her show. Grandpa and Grandma A and Joelle came to watch, as well as Grandma Carole, Aunt Carrie, and Clara.
Dallin and Clara...isn't she the cutest thing ever?! Dallin was refusing to acknowledge the camera.
These three didn't last long on the bleachers and spent more time playing in the sawdust.
I was suprised the Lydia didn't seem nervous at all (and claimed that she wasn't). I guess she's a natural ;)
I love this shot...but I did have to remind her to look at the judge, not me!
She placed first in her quality class. We were all surprised (remember, our pig BARELY made weight), but excited! She was excited for her ribbon, but not terribly thrilled to have to show for a third time that day...
Lydia and Zoe.
We kept Lydia's pig at Zoe's house since they just live up the road and had a place all set up for it. We were so grateful to have their help this year!
On the night of the sale, Lydia was surprised to find out that she had made our counties judging team. The members of the 4-H club (it's a combined club for all animal projects) had been judging the different animals at their meetings. Those who had the highest judging scores made up the judging team. This team will be going to the state fair in September to judge, but unfortunately it's at the exact same time Lydia will be showing her heifer, so they are sending an alternate in her place. Still pretty fun for her to make the team though!
She was presented with this fancy belt buckle for making the judging team.
And if you ask her the secret to her judging success...
"I don't know, I just guessed!"
She cracks me up! I'm sure there was quite a bit of guessing going on, but I think she actually knows more than she thinks. Greg has taught her well ;)
She ended up selling in 6th place overall and made quite a profit! She's decided 4-H is the best thing ever....especially the money!
After the sale, she had to say goodbye to Curly. That was hard to watch! She was pretty devastated. Poor girl was very attatched to that ugly thing ;) Luckily my friend Brigitte (her 2nd mom) is much more sympathetic than her own mother and a quick trip to her house for a hug helped her get it under control. (thanks Brigitte!!!)
*she knew what was in store for Curly...I told her the complete truth...unlike my own mother who lied to me my first year of 4-H and told me that my steer had been sold as a pet. I completely believed her and had a huge argument with Homer Jaynes on the bus when he told me I was dumb to believe that. After telling my mom what a jerk Homer was, she had to confess and tell me the truth....I'm not sure I will ever completely get over that. I wasn't as upset about finding out my steer was dead as I was about having to admit that I was wrong and Homer was right.
Lydia not only did a swine project, but she also participated in a sewing club with some of her friends. She LOVED it! And I loved it too since she actually learned something (sewing is NOT a talent of mine).
They learned the basics of sewing and how to use a sewing machine. They made pillowcases for practice and drawstring bags to enter at the fair.
I hadn't been to the barn to see her display yet, but when Lydia came back after seeing it, she informed me that they had all gotten blue ribbons. I congratulated her and then she said,
"yeah, and I got one of those rose things."
It was so nonchalant and I couldn't figure out what she was talking about until I went to see for myself...
Uh, Yeah, she got one of those "rose" things...
as in FIRST PLACE! Once she realized what that "rose" thing was, she was pretty excited. I'm not sure how they judge those things since all the bags looked exactly the same to me, but I do know that she worked hard on her bag and did a great job!
So, now we are off to our State Fair in a couple of weeks where her sewing project will be displayed and where she has entered her other pig to show. She and Wyatt will also be showing heifers that they've been working with all summer.
Lydia definitely had a fantastic first year of 4-H and did a great job. We've warned her not to expect this every year though! :)
