Yes, that was my answer to someone who asked me if I was tired this morning....and no, I wasn't being funny! Words no longer were flowing right from my brain to my mouth. We have been AWOL from the blog for quite sometime now. We returned from our tiring, but successful week at Dairy Days.
Suzanna, Kathryn and I headed off on Monday with the four heifers, all the feed and bedding they would need for a week and high hopes. Thomas stayed home with dad for an extra day so he could play one last softball game Monday night. We followed the neighbors and set up our home away from home for the week at Michigan State. The heifers got their baths and it was time for Quiz Bowl. Suzanna's team ended up with 1 win and 2 losses. It was off to the showers and bed, since showtime would come early Tuesday morning.
Up at 5am and off to the barn to fight for our spot in the wash racks. That is always interesting. There are only so many faucets in the two wash rooms. Of course, there are about 200 cattle in the barn and ALL need their baths. Patience pays off though and eventually you get a spot. Showmanship was up first and Suzanna did a great job and placed 7th. Each of her heifers had their chance in the ring, and before we knew it our part of the show was over. Suzanna had a pleasant surprise, as my folks came up to watch her show, and Thomas and daddy made it up for the show as well.
She had a terrible time settling down Tuesday night. Butterflies were zooming in her tummy as she anticipated participating in her first state 4-H Dairy judging contest. The kids judged 8 classes of dairy cattle and then had to give a set of oral reasons for why they placed a class the way they chose. It goes all morning and on into the afternoon. She came out relieved and confident that she had done a good job.
Thursday it was show time again. This time it was the All Michigan Holstein show. The three heifers had their moment in front of the judge again. Placing weren't great, but we sort of expected it to go that way. From there she competed in the Dairy Management Contest. The All Breed Showmanship contest was in the afternoon and Suzanna place 6th. She was really excited for herself and her good buddy, Hannah, who won the class. Thomas and Kathryn participated in the Peewee Dairy Showmanship class. Mike got there in time to see them show Bella and Sami. Next year they will be full-fledged 4-H'ers and they are anxious for that.
The evening was the Awards Presentation. The kids finally find out how they did in the contests. To our shock, Suzanna received 25th place in Dairy judging and the team she was on was 1st place in the State!! All this in her first year to participate in the contest. And if that wasn't enough, she also placed 15th in the Dairy Management contest. All she could say was "wow"!
Today was the cow show, and pack-up day. Thomas had gone home with Mike last night, so we were a body short packing up, but still had everything done and were on the road by noon. Boy did home look good as we came up the driveway. The heifers were very content to be in their pasture this afternoon and slept most of the afternoon in the sun.
So I know I will sleep well tonight and should manage to wake up for church......on Sunday!!!
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