Fair, 2019

Fair this year was a little different because Dave got to be home for all of it. Sheldon wasn't to keen on sharing his pen or on all of the other animals around (definitely something we decided we will do differently next year). Different for this year, Jackson trained Sheldon to use a licks-it (usually only the swine use these). Because the kids can't leave open water containers in the pens, it makes it difficult to make sure the animals are drinking. The licks-it allows the animals to drink water whenever they want (another something we will do differently next year and only use the licks-it from the beginning). 

Jackson still wasn't feeling great, but handled it like a champ. Sheldon definitely needed long walks to calm down before he was ready to step into the ring and listen. 

One of the aspects to fair is that only the kids are allowed to work with their animals, including any grooming they want to do before they show. Jackson's first year, he didn't really have much interest in grooming. But he was adamant going into it this year that he wanted to be able to do everything. Dave made sure he was set up and had practiced at home. Who knew that they actually have "paint" to make the white on the goats look whiter. Some actually also use baby powder. Yikes. 

Jackson did a good job showing again this year. He was definitely more aware of the judge and where he (Jackson) needed to be based on the judge. Sheldon was bigger than Steve (first goat), which made it more challenging for Jackson a bit. It also didn't help that the month going into fair Sheldon had pneumonia, so Jackson didn't work him out as much. 

Addison danced at the fair on Thursday with her Company team and had a great time. They did a spectacular job, and it was fun to see them just relax and perform.

Thursday was their first full day out at the fair. Luckily, we borrow a friends 5th wheel so we have a place to rest while we are out there. We've found that it's a good plan, plus it allows for changing into and out of show clothes. Friday was another show day for Jackson. Again, he did well and pushed through not feeling his best. 

Saturday brought us to auction day. A different type of stress, but definitely more relaxed as well. All kids are given a number and they have to be ready and lined up when their number is called. It is definitely a well oiled machine. Thankfully, the process doesn't change so Jackson knew what to expect and when. One of our friends, Regan, was back with her goat waiting also to sell so Jackson got to hang out with her for a few. 

Jackson also loved the steer and other animals around while he waited. Not sure how much Sheldon loved it, but thankfully he didn't put up too much of a fuss.

Sheldon was definitely a spunky goat. Jackson was happy that the people who bought him were taking him home (although they had plans to butcher him later in the year).

There's a special bond (usually one of love/hate) that the kids have with their animals and Jackson is no different. He had some tears in the trailer when he was changing and the realization that Sheldon was no longer his hit. 

After the auction, kids got to ride rides. Remember, we don't get to leave the fairgrounds until after last feeding each day (everyone feeds at the same time...can you imagine feeding some animals and not others? Oh man!). These make for LONG, exhausting days. 

Addie was begging for a henna tattoo, so the last day of the fair she got to get one on her arm. You'd think we hung the moon. 

Jackson rode more rides and spent some time with Sheldon. We don't stay until they start to take the animals away like some do. Jackson did his last feeding and it was time to go. 

Until next year....

Jackson and Sheldon

Preparing for fair is a process for sure. With Dave's help (Addie and I even got involved some), Jackson had Sheldon re-washed, dried, brushed and ready to go. Sheldon definitely liked his alone time and as we found when he got to the fair...sharing a pen was not his favorite thing in the world.

Last walk before it is time to load up for the fair. Once we get there, it's game on until it's over. 

Here we go again....with kiddo number 1

The week of fair Jackson wasn't feeling well. We ended up at urgent care again for an asthma flare for Addie and abdominal pain for Jackson. As urgent care is limited in what they can do, we were referred to the ED for further testing because his X-ray didn't tell them enough. Dave drove out to pick up Addie and I took Jackson over to the ED. It was a LONG night. More frustrating, there was never a great answer as to why his abdomen was hurting. 

He got fluids and we were discharged in the middle of the night with instructions to call his GI and let him know. 

Dave had a hotel room waiting for us, which we checked into quickly. We slept a little and then the next morning picked up a tack box for fair before heading home for an exhausting week of Fair. 

Jackson had abdominal pain all throughout fair, which took us to the GI after fair who wanted an upper and lower GI to see if it would help him determine what the cause was.

Farmhand

Beginning of March brought us almost to Fair time. Jackson was busy on the farm, keeping up with Sheldon and his other responsibilities there.

Like Jackson, Sheldon was a bit stubborn. It was fun to see them work together. I didn't always know who would win (but Jackson truly was awesome with Sheldon).

The farm is definitely one of Jackson's elements. Though Sheldon could cause stress, the farm brought tranquility. Almost made me want to live on one....

My go-getter!

Dear Addison,

I am SOOO proud of you. You choreographed two dances on your own (jazz and tap) plus one with Carley (Acro) then performed them in your dance school's competition. Winners of the competition get to perform their solo/group dances at recital in the spring. 

Though you didn't win, you finished each and every dance with pizzaz and a smile. This was the first time you participated in this competition, and you didn't care if you won or lost. You were having fun.

Those are the moments that are important. The ones that you put yourself out there and grow. The ones you learn something from. Winning isn't always in the form of an additional performance or a trophy. Winning is in knowing you set out to do something new and you did. Completely. That is winning. 

I cannot wait to see what you continue to do love. Both in dancing and in whatever else you set your mind to. Addison, you are limitless. The more you try, the more your confidence grows. Keep shooting for the stars love. You've got it,

Love, Mom

Post birthday backup

When you get a call from the school nurse saying your kiddo is complaining of her stomach hurting and has a low grade temp. As you talk with the nurse, she tells you you probably need to take her to be checked out because she has had kiddos like this who ended up with appendicitis you sigh. Pick her up, talk with hubby and decide that's probably the best thing to do. 

So we head on over to Urgent Care, realizing that they aren't open for a few more hours and she is miserable. This realization lands us in the ED after a quick call to her GI also. This is a big deal. Addison HATES anything related to more than a quick Dr. appointment. I don't blame her, but for her to think this was a good idea I knew she wasn't feeling okay. The nursing and Dr. staff were great. We waited a bit but not too long and then they had her back in a room. 

It took some convincing, but they were able to get her IV in with minimal stress. Remember, needles are NOT her thing at all. They were ruling out appendicitis, which sent us to get an X-ray. 

Xray tech was nice, which helped since she was starting to get tired and still didn't feel well. They let her have some ice chips, which she appreciated. 

Surprise this trip, pleasant actually. We had a backup to cleanout. Surprised us all because it kind of came out of no where. Thankfully though they were able to give her something to help start that process. If you had told me before I was a parent that talking about poop would occur EVERY day since having kids I would have looked at you like you were crazy.

But it has. If not with a kid, it's been with another adult. Who knew there was so much to talk about?

We were both super excited (can't you see it on her face??) that this was something we could take care of on our own. Not the way one thinks of celebrating turning 11. 

Happy 11th birthday Addison!!!!

Happy, happy birthday Addison!!! She turned 11 years old with a full house of family here to help her celebrate. Addie continues to be our independent, spunky, passionate, creative, sensitive and friendly kiddo. She lights up a room when she walks in, just with her presence. She is passionate about everything she is doing, and everything she is feeling. Addie is growing up into a strong young lady, with her own thoughts and ideas. She brings us an adventure for sure, and one that I wouldn't change in a heartbeat. 

She woke up to presents, decorations and her cousins here to help celebrate.

LOL dolls are still a favorite here. Jackson was very adamant that he get her this doll house because he KNEW she would LOVE it. And she did!!! (Now, almost a year later, this doll house gets played with almost daily. It's one of her zen spots.)

It was a gorgeous day out, so jumping on the trampoline was a definite must!

Addie wanted a pineapple cake. Whew. This one was a humorous challenge to make, but she loved it!

Make a wish and blow out your candles sweetheart!!! 

And like that she is 11. There are many times I wish time would stop...just for a moment. Instead I just savor these moments and take them all in, knowing that in the next blink of an eye she will be a teenager wanting to drive off to college. Her wings are growing, but thank goodness it's not time yet.