4-H Season Begins

 

When we began our multi-year plan to own alpacas, we learned that our county had a fabulous Alpaca Club in the 4-H program.  Our daughter was in the third grade so it was perfect timing for us.  We jumped in with both feet and with the help of some 4-H experienced friends we made it through our first year.  The worst part for us  is simply setting limits on what the kids can actually accomplish in time for the fair.  When it is the middle of February it is really easy to think that you can tackle six or seven major 4-H projects in time for the mid-July fair.  I am sure some families CAN tackle that many and more.  I know that we are not that family.

So our first year she did alpaca (includes showmanship, obstacle, and costume classes), alpaca poster, alpaca craft, sewing and foods.  What I did not realize is putting her in camp the week before the fair was a horrible idea as projects were due to be turned in before the actual fair week.  Okay, lesson learned.

Second year she did all of the same alpaca projects plus dog obedience, genealogy, gingerbread house, and cake decorating.  Now that seemed a bit smarter for the following reasons - 1) dog obedience was over before fair week, 2) I have most of the genealogy work already done, 3) gingerbread houses can be decorated way ahead of time and sit on a shelf until it is time for the fair, 4) ditto on the cake decorating because it is just a Styrofoam cake and royal icing.  Here is the lesson learned:  all of these projects each come with their own club meetings or training sessions - often on the same day.

So I got smarter in some regards and yet still underestimated the craziness.  However, I suppose we might have gotten through it relatively intact if we had not also tried to move during the same time frame.  What a nightmare.  Did I mention that the second year was also the first year for my son in mini-4-H?  He took alpaca (showmanship, obstacle, and costume class), alpaca poster, and woodworking.  Yes, that's right - that means I made FOUR costumes (two for kids, two for alpacas) last summer in the midst of moving.

This year I am determined to keep the crazy at bay and enjoy the summer.  The plans are for my daughter to take alpaca (all classes), alpaca poster, photography (color and b/w) and genealogy.  My son will take alpaca (all classes), alpaca poster, archery (poster only for mini's), and woodworking.  The woodworking he will do with my dad so that one is an easy one.  Again, the genealogy can be done well in advance so I'm not scared of that either.  Posters can be done well ahead of time too and last month I purchased the poster boards and poster sleeves - three for her, two for him.  I am disappointed not to have my daughter doing gingerbread this year but she had an experience last year that robbed her of the joy she had from making her house.

Here is where I take a moment to insert the photo that will make you all laugh:

Yes, that's right.  We have been talked into taking on a poultry project for each child.  This week we purchased eight new pullets - the black ones are Sexlinks and the yellow ones are Production Reds.  After I saw the tiny ducks at the store it was all I could do not to take a couple of those home too but I had to remain cool headed.  We have no clue what we are doing and no clue if we will be able to EVER make a Poultry Club meeting but we are in it for the experience so we are going to try to make it a good one.  Wish us luck - we are probably going to need it.

To stay on top of it all, I am off to make a master list of the tasks we need to accomplish to make sure nothing falls through the crack.  All this thinking about critical paths makes me thankful for my years as a project manager.  Unfortunately, I have many MORE years of being a procrastinator.