New Showman ~ It's Official

With our kids growing up on the farm, they are exposed daily, to the animals.  We've never pushed them into showing an animal at the fair.  By giving them guidance and showing them the options available to them, we hoped they would be interested in the animals when the time came.

Bryce is eight years old.  Up until last year I thought he would be my one child who wouldn't want to have anything to do with showing calves and cows in our county fairs.  Year after year, he's watched his older cousins and friends care for their animals and show them at the fairs every summer.  I believe this has really inspired him to want his own calf and show her in the fair.

A year ago, he asked us if he could have his own calf to show for the upcoming fairs and shows.

Enter:  Jinx.  Born on January 1st, 2013.  Bryce's first show calf.

Our local fairs begin in June.  As a precursor to the fairs, our local Redwood Empire Holstein Association puts on a "Black and White Show & Sale" every spring.....the perfect event to give the kids a little practice showing their animals before the fairs begin.

Just before it was show time, Bryce says to me, 

"Mom, my stomach feels weird.  I don't want to show Jinx."

Bryce, that's a normal feeling.  Those are called jitters and they will disappear as soon as you step into that show ring.  You'll be fine and you'll have fun.

At the very last minute, sister Paige, borrowed her friend, Gracie's Jersey calf, Rusty, to show in the ring with Bryce in the "PeeWee" division.....8 and unders.....there were only two of them in the ring.

In the 'Showmanship Class', it's more about how the showman handles his/her calf and whether he pays attention to the judge in the ring at all times.

Both kids did really well.  Jitters gone for Bryce and I don't think Paige ever had them.

Bryce did so well, he was invited back to compete in Showmanship Class with the Juniors.....12 years old and under.  There were seven in all.

Bryce did his best to keep his eye on the judge, Tony Demellow.

Which paid off.  He came in third.

He's HOOKED!

No turning back now.

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Rubber Boots Required

Second week in to Christmas vacation....no snow trip, no Disneyland trip, nothing out of the ordinary except for the fact that there's no school....but why leave home when we have cousins coming over to hang out at the ranch "playground" with?

In above pic, cows are lined up and patiently waiting for their turn in the milking parlor.

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Coffee Frosting topped Best Brownie

My boy, Bryce, who just turned 8 this past Saturday is not a fan of cake, or cookies....he would rather have nothing than choose to eat a piece of cake or a cookie, so birthday parties can become a challenge when thinking up an appropriate dessert to  make the Birthday Boy happy.

Bryce LOVES brownies.  I haven't used a box brownie mix in a few years now and it's all because of this recipe for Easy Best Brownies, made from scratch, they are not only super easy to make, but are so much more delicious than the boxed mix variety.  Topping them with a dab of Coffee Frosting, also super easy to make from scratch, was the ticket for Bryce's 8th birthday party.

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Bryce's Darn Good Chocolate Cake for the County Fair

It's county fair time in our area, which for us means baking and entering Bryce and Paige's chocolate delights they've decided on.

Bryce baked some 'Darn Good Chocolate Cake'.  We found this super easy recipe in the North Bay Dairy Women Cookbook.  Fortunately only 1/4 plus one slice of the cake is required to make its way to the fair for judging.  

This means we eat the rest.

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TT: Big Date

It's a very rare occasion when I can have one on one time with my oldest, Bryce.  Older kids tend to have busier schedules, more homework and longer days than their younger siblings.....in this case, Paige.

Paige was invited to a play date at her teacher's house, staying until well after dinner.  Bryce LOVES his 'mommy time' without his "Annoying sister" around.......will he EVER think his little sister is not annoying?....I don't know.

To make the afternoon EXTRA special on this scorching, hot day, we headed straight for the ice cream shoppe.  Bryce selected one of his favorites, Rainbow Sherbet and I splurged with Pistachio Almond.....OH SO GOOD!

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