Getting ready for Fair!!

Ok, so we are spending our week getting ready for the fair. My oldest daughter is in her second year of 4-H. Last year she raised two market hogs and was able to sell one at auction. This year we are going for easier animals (hee-hee) and raising market turkeys and a market goat. We also bought a camper so that we could stay all week and enjoy all of the shows and events!! (also having two babies it will be nice to have a place to cool off and take a nap!!) Here are some pictures of her animals!! I will let you know how she does!!

turkey funeral

Ok, so our turkey that Shelby was trying to save died today. At our house when we lose an animal (we have lost many!!) we hold a funeral. Daddy usually digs a hole, we all say nice things and we end in a prayer. Sometimes the girls make a cross to put over the grave. I think Shelby did a great job taking care of the turkey and she showed so much love and compassion!!

Turkey whisperer

So my 10 year old is involved in 4-H. Last year we raised two pigs... what a crazy time!! (will have to write a story about it later!!) This year she chose to raise a meat goat and turkeys. We have found these animals to be much easier!! We noticed right away that one of the turkeys had a bad leg... bent the wrong way. Well in nature the animals seem to sense this and began picking on her. She can hardly get around to the food and water, much less defend herself!! Shelby noticed this and was immediately in tears... she has a hard time watching an animal suffer. So we now have a "home" for this turkey in our garage in a large barrel. For almost a week now she has been checking on her, feeding her, giving her water and giving her what I call ,"turkey physical therapy." She is sure it is working and the turkey is getting stronger. I am not sure how this will turn out and if she will survive, but I am so proud of Shelby for wanting to help her and taking time to care for her. I think 4-h has been great for her... quite the lesson in responsibility!!