Learn By Doing Day 2016

Learn By Doing Day was so much fun! We had surprise attendees come all the way from Madison, CT and some of our animals were not cooperating with our planned schedule. So we did what 4-H teaches us to do: get flexible and go with the flow!
The weather was cooperative and we had a great day of learning how to show chickens, rabbits, dogs, and sheep, as well as a short workshop on 4-H record books. A huge THANK YOU to Mrs. Fields, Mrs. Atkins, Mrs. Button, and Mrs. Bennett! We couldn't have done it without you!

Chicken Showmanship

Rabbit Showmanship

Aloura shows Eamonn how to flip a rabbit for showmanship

Mrs. Fields taught dog showmanship

The awesome sheep!

DOOR PRIZES!

Sheep showmanship

Shelley met a sheep for the first time.

Even the clean-up was fun!

Bittersweet Moments

A bittersweet weekend as we closed a chapter in our lives. On Sunday we participated in our last goat show: The ADGA show at the Big E. It was pretty incredible to see how much our breeding program has contributed to goats in New England as we saw goats from our lines performing very well in the ring with a wide range of owners and herds. If/When Abby ever decides to pick up where she left off, I have no doubt she will be able to find several of her original bloodlines out there. 

Samantha finished her 4-H goat experience on Saturday on a high note as well. Her doe Cedars of Lebanon Dollymadison was Reserve Senior Oberhasli and her doe Owl-Ridge A Fionn's Ciara was high producing Oberhasli. Samantha placed well enough in fitting and showmanship classes, but it was very clear to us, her parents, that her heart is not in it and that we have made the right decision in selling the herd. 

Sam and I both truly enjoyed working with the youth this weekend and will still continue being involved in the 4-H goat program as 4-H leaders and committee members. The six kids from our club that attended the big E this weekend (both for goats and sheep) worked hard, performed well, had fun, and demonstrated all the good that 4-H has to teach about life, hard work, and achieving goals. 

We will miss being involved with the goat world, but the friendships we have made in the last 15 years are ones we treasure and certainly are based on more than just goats. Good, hard working people who will reach out and give you a hand up when you need it. Thank you for being an incredible blessing to our family!

4-H Christmas Party!

Great Goats and More 4-H club had their Christmas party last night! For the first time in MANY years, it wasn't snowed out!

We played a game of "Guess Who (or What) I Am"

Cassie showing off her Grinch!

The adults looking on... we'll get them involved later....

Then we had an ornament swap. Each kid brought a wrapped ornament, either handmade or purchased. We had a lot of fun doing it Yankee Swap style!

Cece loves Abby!

Jake, our newest member, joined in eagerly!

Then came the Annual Gingerbread Competition! This year we had three kid teams and one adult team. Twenty minutes to build and decorate a gingerbread house is NOT  a lot of time! Mr. Wells, Mr. Smith, and Mrs. Royce judged each team on Creativity, Teamwork, and Durability.

Even our youngest future 4-H'er got involved!

The Adults' final result.

Team 1

Team 2

Team 3 had a structural failure so they got creative and covered it in red icing!