Fair Week

We weren't very excited about the fair this year.

Jeremy and I are still superintendents of the tractor driving.  He tried out the course to make sure it was set up right.  It was.

I looked up from grading the tests the kids take to see Nicholas on the mower.  "Oh good, I didn't miss my kid," I said.  "Um, Lisa?  He's getting off."  Drat.

But he was the third Vrana boy to get Reserve Champion!  He, Philip and Thomas all got 2nd once.  It may be the only thing they'll ever be able to say they beat Samuel at.

We were excited and proud.

Nick also shott bb guns and was happy with his blue ribbon.

Got the mandatory funnel cake after watching hay hauling!  Such a hilarious competition!

For open class I entered two kinds of cookies and Nick entered two Lego projects.  Julia had planned to make a cake but we forgot they changed turn in from Tuesday night to Monday night and she had to work Monday so she didn't have time to make it.  Nick went to see open class stuff without me and told me what ribbons I earned so then I didn't even go look at the projects.  AND I forgot to see if Mrs. Vrana the chicken was at the fair.  Drat again.  Just not in a fair mood this year I guess.

The parade is the first last thing of senior year.  :(

Since they are marching in DC next summer for the 250th celebration they are doing some fancy marching they're calling "Cav Swag" and they debuted it.  It's fun!  

I was on the wrong side to take picture of Philip but a band mom friend came through for me!

Only Nick and I to watch.  Jeremy walked with the Knights this year so we joined them when they got to where we were sitting.

All three kids did rides and looking at exhibits with friends so I didn't even go to the midway except for the funnel cake.  

I guess even though I felt like we did a lot less than we have in the past, we still enjoyed enough of the fair to be happy!

And then as always, buckle up because it's just about time for school....drat.

Fair Week- Tractor Driving

Both Philip and Nicholas did the tractor driving contest as usual on Wednesday of Fair week.

Philip had a chance to practice a little earlier in the month and he did a good job.  The intermediates took an especially long time because one of the judges decided they didn't need a time limit.  Yep.  There's a reason we usually have a limit.  Some of those kids don't practice a lot and there's two places they have to back into which is really hard.  Philip had to get going to football practice after he drove so he wasn't there to get his ribbon but he got a blue!  

Nick did a great job too and got a purple! 

Fair Week- Entries and Fun

Nick met some friends to ride with and had a great time.

His ginormous trucks got blues.  We were joking if there's a length limit next year, we'll know why.

Julia baked mini lemon bundt cakes.  They were her only entry this year and she was happy with the results.

My samoa brownies did well.  The judge liked my two breads too but I made mini loaves and put the whole loaf on the plate.  Turns out you are only supposed to enter half a loaf so I was docked a color.  The breads got reds.  Oops.

This is Mrs. Vrana with Mrs. Vrana.  I often tease my students that they should name their pets after me.  Josie took me up on it.  Mrs. Vrana (the chicken) earned Reserve Champion.  I'm sure her name helped.  ;)

Nicholas entered a pillow case and some fabric cat coasters in 4H and did well on them both too.  thanks for sewing with him Grandma Susan!

 Philip decided just to do contests this year and no entries.

Time for the Fair- Tractor Driving

 Philip and Nicholas participated in the tractor driving contest again this year.

Philip aged up to a mid sized tractor and learned to drive it about a week before the competition!  He practiced about three times and did pretty well!

Backing in to the stall is the hardest part.

Hands up, all done!

He earned a blue, which is pretty amazing for only having driven that kind of tractor three times.  Great work Philip!

Nicholas practice driving the lawn tractor quite a bit in our yard.

His practice paid off and he earned a purple!

Great work boys!
 

Tic Tac Toe

Nicholas made a Tic Tac Toe board to enter in the fair.  

He started by sanding and staining a board.

Then we made a grid template and taped around it.

Painting the grid.

Pulling up the tape.

Presto! 

 We varnished the board after playing a few games and noticing we were nicking the stain.

He painted xs and os on rocks and varnished those too.

We found a bowl at the thrift store and used silicone to attach it.

Side note:  We scored this like-new headgear for $9 while we were at the thrift store!  He's very excited about it.

We entered it in Open Class because he wasn't enrolled in a 4H category that seemed to fit it very well. (And because 4H always requires the effort of writing about what you did and he hates that.)

Nice work Nicholas!

Time for the Fair!- BB Guns

I missed watching BB guns due to my cousins get away. (It's okay, it still wins most boring spectator sport ever so I don't feel like I missed out.)  Jeremy supervised and even took some pictures!

Nick ready to go!

Philip taking aim.

Philip earned a purple and Nicholas earned a red.  Nice shooting boys!