A note from Pima County Fair

Well, I am home to feed the animals and thought I would update everyone with a quick note.

In the first weekend of Pima County Fair, Wyatt's chickens did pretty well. Sgt Major the Phoenix rooster received a blue ribbon, Annette the silver phoenix hen received a blue ribbon and Best Variety title, Pearl the big fluffy Plymouth Rock received a blue ribbon ( and made friens with the rooster next to her), and the Silkies Plume Snowflake and Trooper earned blue ribbons and Best Variety honors as well.

Also that weekend, Bailey helped show her leaders Boer goats. That was lots of fun! The judge spent a lot of time explaining why she ranked goats in a certain way, which was really informative. Bailey competed in archery, and won fourth place in her division.

This week has been quite busy as well. In showmanship, Bailey made a great showing , landing in the middle pf the pack in Pygmy goat after a rough morning, and making call backs to the final 7 of 32 in poultry. The following day, her animals made their own impressive show. Vital took a blue rosette in her group, with Glory taking second to her. (I am sure those of you who know Glory know what dirty looks she gave the judge!) Jada also won a blue rosette in her age group. The chickens did pretty well, with Princess Gala earning a red (broken father issue) and the spanish sweping the top three places in their breed. They all received blue ribbons and Annie won Best of Breed.

Since all of that insanity we have been shivering our way through barn duty for long hours, and last night we went out on the midway for a little fun. Yesterday, Charlie and the kids helped put on Fair Fun Day with Mrs Hatley while Mama went to work. More Barn Duty and an outreach project today, then the auction and the final ceremonies tomorrow. We will be SO READY to go home! We will post photos and more fun when we return.

Hugs to everyone!

Thank you to Mrs Endler's Class

To thank the many members of Mrs Endler's class who sent in names for the name the chicken contest, we had a fun morning with them last week. We looked at the shape of eggs, and discussed that their shape makes them stronger. We discussed the fact that if you squeeze equally from all sides, an egg will not break, and that if you hit two eggs together, the laws of physics provide that only one will crack.

When we experimented. We went outside and hit eggs together until only one egg had not cracked. And because we thought in advance and boiled the eggs (didn't think the principal would let me come back if they were covered in gooey raw egg after my visit), we had an egg toss with the eggs until they were open.

Then we decorated blown eggs. Everyone had their own creation. Then we gave prizes to the kids whose names were used. Some gave us more ideas. We had such fun! Thanks much to the class, and I hope you let me visit again!

Wyatt and his class play

Wyatt's class put on a play for another grade. It was called the Foolish Little Hare. Wyatt played the lion, the wise king of the jungle. (Hmmm...) They had so much fun, they invited the parents in to see it in class!

Getting Ready and off to Pima County Fair.

We have been in the mad dash to get ready for county fair!

Bailey finished her stanchion. It was her welding project

Wyatt finished his fancy cakes to take in. There was a 9 inch round, a really big cupcake, 3 regular cupcakes, and 3 cookies.

All of their other projects leading up to fair went in so we could set up displays the weekend before fair started. They are in old Pueblo Hall. Looking forward to seeing how they did!

A Great Disappearing Act

Life at Patriot's Dream is certainly never dull. For those of you who have been following the Spring chickens that have begun their days in the house, this is the newest chapter of their story- a mystery.

The majority of the new chickens have moved outside. There are still 14, however, who are not quite big enough to hold their own in the adult groups. So they are still residing in the house, in the big trough. As big as they are, they can peek their heads over the edge to see around them, and jump out sometimes. Usually about 5-7 times each day, we chase a chicken around and cuddle it, then put it back in the trough. Therefore, we habitually count chicken beaks whenever we pass.

Friday morning, all 14 were there when i got up to feed to dogs. A couple escaped and were put back before we left for school. But when we returned from town, only 13 were there, with Chicken Little standing on the edge. We looked and looked, and moved furniture, but there was no chicken. We looked in the closets and bookshelves, behind doors. No chicken.

By Saturday morning, we were eyeing the dogs with great suspicion. Bu when could they have done anything? They are outside while we are away. I began some big cleaning that night, figuring things would eventually turn up. The little one hadn't been named yet, and from the large size of the comb for the young age, we had begun to believe he would be the accidental rooster of the Spring.

Sunday morning, Daddy got up and left for the base. I didn't get up to feed the dogs until about 6:30, then did some computer work and headed for the shower. Wyatt came to the next room to talk to me, and was laying on the couch planning breakfast when I came out to say good morning.

I asked him to go get dressed, and on the way pick up the chicken from under the dining table. I thought it must be Yago, due to the color, but Wyatt went over and instantly recognized the little rooster.

So where had he been for two days? We may never know. His propensity for hiding and sneaking around provides an additional challenge in selecting an appropriate name, though. Life is always eventful here!

Chicken Names

Good morning!

Some chickens are waking up happier this morning, because they have official names as part of the Patriot's Dream Family!

Fly is a little Blue Andalusian pullet, who likes to sneak out of the trough in the nursery area. Her name was suggested by a member of Mrs Endler's 2nd grade class.

Farmer, on the right, is a six month old Rhode Island Red hen. She

recently started giving us brown eggs. Mama like her speckles of white, while Wyatt is particularly fond of her gentle nature. Her name came from another of Mrs Endler's students.

Yoko is another Rhode Island Red. She doesn't have the white speckles that Farmer does, but has less of the dark black to her feathers than Jalympics. All three of the new Rhode Island Reds are sporting names from Mrs Endler's class!

Watch for a few more names to post later this week. Next week, we will be having a special egg project day with Mrs Endler's class to thank them for their help!

Bailey's New Do

Bailey and Mama went in to get their hair cut before fair. We knew Bailey would change the style a bit, but changed her mind at the last minute and got a whole new style of bangs!

Her hair is wet in the second photo- post shower, but you get the idea!

Easter Morning

Bailey and Wyatt on Easter morning. Bailey is not yet ready to be awake.

The Easter bunny found a good spot for this one- it took them until breakfast!

Silly Wyatt is proud of his searching skills.

Bailey shows off a little basket of pretty finds.

Funny Colored Eggs

Saturday night, Bailey and Wyatt decorated eggs in preparation for the Easter Buuny. When the eggs start out white, tan, brown and shades of green an blue, the dyes make for interesting new colors.

And we thought dipping regular store bought eggs into all the colors made them funny as kids!

Pat Parker Memorial Small Stock Show

Last Saturday, Bailey went to Queen Creek to participate in a statewide 4H Small Stock show.

Jada went along, as did Amy the chicken.

In addition to showing pygmy and poultry, they required Bailey to show cavy and rabbit. Oops- we hadn't known that was part of the deal.

Regardless, Bailey had fun, along with of few of the other NWO kids. It was a good chance to practice one more time before county fair.