Dog shows, lamb training, horse conditioning and back to school

Busy days continue here at the zoo. Kathryn and Emma competed in the State 4-H Dog Show Saturday. They are now full-fledged 4-Her's and actually get placed in their classes now. It was the first time Kathryn had ever done showmanship and they placed 5th in their class. They also did agility and obedience, but didn't place in either class. We got lots of good hints and know what they need to work on between now and fair week.

Kathryn has been working with her lamb, Lydia, too. Considering the first time she ever put a halter on the lamb, it fell over on it's side and laid there like it was dying, things have definitely improved. She can now lead Lydia the traditional way of having a hand under her chin and one at the back of her head. The other three lambs we got to replace the lambs that were killed have tamed down a lot and Kathryn can actually pet one of them. She is the animal charmer.

I have been working our filly, Annie, in preparation for the Michigan Morgan Futurity. I hauled her up to Mason yesterday so that Horse Trainer Mike can take over and finish her halter work. The show is this weekend. Storm will be showing as well. She has grown up and filled out a lot over the course of the summer. I really could see the difference since she has been gone all year.

Finally, the girls and I are heading to town to get school shoes. Yes, like it or not, they head back to school on Thursday. Thomas wasn't in the mood to "shop", so he went to work with his dad. I will still need to run him to the local Shoe Show store and get some dress shoes. Parent-Teacher orientation will be tomorrow night and then back to our routine on Thursday. Summer where did you go?? And just in time for the "dog days".

Where have I been???

Enjoying summer. We had the chance to travel up to Mackinaw City a week ago and what a great time we had. We toured Fort Michlamackinaw, the Mackinaw City Lighthouse and the Old Mill. Great chance for the kids to expand on the Michigan History unit they all have studied at school. Nothing better than experiencing things first hand.

We had the opportunity to attend the wedding of hubby's niece Elissa as well. What an amazing wedding. She married a man she met while attended Spring Arbor University. They are headed to Sao Paulo, Brazil, where he is from, to be missionaries in one of the many slums in that city. Gui, her new husband, has a tremendous burden for the unsaved in his city and Elissa is equally burdened for them. They are a great couple and though we will miss them, recognize that their decision is pretty special.

On the critter side of our world, the market chickens should arrive by mail today or tomorrow. That is the last project to get started on. Fair is about six weeks away!

And School is only a week and a half away!!!!! The kids start on the 20th.....and so goes summer.

The garden has begun to produce. I put up 18 quarts of green beans last week. The pickles are slowly providing enough to make a batch of 14 day sweet pickles. The sweet corn is growing, and there are TONS of green tomatoes out there. Waiting to get some peaches to can sometime this week. I love canning, so I am anxious for the chance to put shiny jars of fruits and veggies on the shelves in the basement.