Goat Quiz Bowl

Here are a few pictures from the goat expo in East Lansing. I was at home with the other children, but J went along to document. This is the Jr. quiz bowl team from Saginaw County. They have been meeting since January to practice goat information.

G and two other "goat kids" about her age worked on solutions to a problem solving scenario, then had to present it to a judge. G also did an individual speech and a craft. She received 2 ribbons and tons of fun and experience.

New kids

G wanted another animal this season. She went back and forth between sheep and goats but was sure she wanted a fiber animal. We had a guy look for us then we looked. IT took a while but I finally found these listed online. They live about 1.5 hours from here. We went to see them Wednesday. It was a long wet car ride, but with "expert" advice from our 4-H leader friend we put some money down. Now we have to decide about dehorning them or not (G's research project for the weekend) and wait until they are weaned. We decided to name them Elinor and Marianne (from Jane Austin's novel Sense and Sensibility)

This is them curled up in the cupboard with their mama (a pygora) guarding them. This is their papa an angora goat. Look at all that fiber!!

Actually our first new critter of the season was N's birthday present. She had been wanting a bunny since last year. While Todd was away on business I took the chance and bought her a mini-lop with a hutch and feeding equipment. Todd didn't complain and Natalie was thrilled.

His given name was Floppy, but when we found he is a boy Natalie wanted to change it to something more masculine. So now he is Zoser a character from the musical Aida.

Unrelated....

Why in the world did I think that G would get her "computer school" work done outside?

Distracted by little sister:Distracted by whatever was happening over by the pond:

I am sure there were many more distractions,

but it looks like she did concentrate for a little while at least.

My birthday present

I asked for something BIG for my big birthday.

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It was so big it couldn't come on my birthday.

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It was so big it had to be delivered.

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I actually isn't one thing it is many many many things.

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Any guesses?

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FOUR cubic yards of hardwood mulch.

It was delivered Friday late afternoon. It didn't even get to rest for a day. By Saturday at 3:30 PM it had been put away.!!!



It's amazing how quick 7 people can get things done. Especially with someone inside preparing food.


The only drawback....well I think it is a drawback....but G didn't!! G learned to drive the tractor. Of course my country girl loved it! It made me nervous, but Todd supervised closely. She didn't run over anything important.Bobby helped too. Mostly in the form of encouraging kisses while I was on my hands and knees spreading the mulch between flowers and plantsHere I think he thinks the photographer (J) is going to give him a treat.





We had enough for both front beds, the horseradish/rhubarb patch, around the north vegetable garden (I have/will have herbs pl anted here), the walk out the back garage and most of the border bed along the back of the house and walk out. It looks soooooo much better.
I love my present.

Thank you Todd!