our day at the fair

Today was our day to work at the MS State Fair in the Operation Christmas Child booth.  I have done this for several years and always enjoy talking to the people as they come through.  The traffic seemed to be a little less this year, possibly because the weather was really pretty (even if it was way too hot to be called "fair weather").  This year was also different because we took the kids with us and four hours is too long to expect them not to get bored.  Still, it wasn't too bad, Ronnie and I just took turns taking the kids around the Trade Mart to look at the various booths and exhibits.


Following our shift in the booth, we took the kids walking around the fair.  I must admit to not being a fan of the fair ... I don't like crowds, I don't like to ride the rides, and I don't like paying hugely inflated prices for greasy food cooked in places of questionable sanitation.  Okay, I know, I'm a party pooper!  The kids wanted to play games or ride something, but we didn't do any of that.  We did watch a circus act perform ... we all enjoyed the family of trapeze artists and the guys on motorcycles inside the great big metal ball were pretty cool in a "man I hope they don't kill themselves" way.

The highlight of the day, at least for LB and me, was getting to see our arts and crafts displayed.  LB couldn't wait to see if she had gotten any blue or red ribbons and was thrilled with the results.  She entered four items in the arts and crafts youth division and received 3 blue ribbons and 1 red ribbon.  I think she was most proud of the blue ribbon on her crocheted scarf.  I only entered two arts and crafts items, a scarf and a decoupaged clipboard.  We both entered jars of tomatoes, pickles, and green beans.  Our tomatoes received blue ribbons, while the others got red ribbons.



hers is the purple scarf hanging behind her



I have to confess that I underestimated how much fun it would be to see all the items displayed with ribbons hanging from them.  I had been satisfied with how much fun LB and I have had making these items, working together with our Keepers at Home group.  But, seeing the results of our hard work and picking out the things we knew had been made by other members of our group, was a perfect way to cap off the fun of making the items.  I am feeling pretty inspired right now to work harder next year to have more items to enter.  I might as well find my own inspiration because my daughter is already chomping at the bit to get busy on things for next year and even JW is thinking that this might not be such a "girlie" thing after all.


  


my scarf

snowmen made by some of our Keepers friends

LB's wreath

my decoupaged clipboard

LB's decoupaged wooden shopping bag ~
she has done a couple of these as birthday gifts for her friends.

LB's woven paper basket ~ we were both surprised that she got a blue ribbon
since she has used the basket a lot since she made it and it looks a little worn.

because I don't want to disappoint my friend ...

I have been all by myself for the last couple of hours.  My sweet hubby took all three of our kids to a magic show at a local church tonight. 

Thank you, Ronnie for giving me a little time to myself ... it was wonderful. 

While at the show, my friend, Marie, asked Ronnie where I was and he told her that I was having a little alone time ... and was probably blogging. 

Actually, blogging did cross my mind, but I chose something a little messier instead.

And, in my defense (not that I really need one) it is kind of Marie's fault that I didn't blog tonight.  Well, Marie's and Donna's to be exact.

You see, last week at a Mom's meeting with our homeschool group, Marie and Donna invited LB and me to join a co-op that they have started called Keepers at Home.  The name pretty much speaks for itself.  I loved the idea from the moment they mentioned it to me.  Girls and their moms getting together to study the Bible, learn about home making and crafts, and build friendships along the way ... sounds like a winner to me.  Besides, I welcome any opportunity to spend time with other moms ... either soaking up ways to homeschool better, or building friendships of my own.  On top of all of these good things, the boys were included, too.  They played with k'nex and legos while the girls did their thing.  It was great to see them hanging out with other boys and enjoying themselves ... especially D, who doesn't get to play with other boys too often.

My friend B said it best ... it is like "showers of blessings" ... and I totally agree.

You may be wondering what any of this has to do with how I chose to spend my time tonight.  The answer is simple.  This week the girls learned to decoupage.  LB did a clipboard.  Some of the other girls covered picture frames or wooden letters.  All of them seemed to enjoy what they were doing and quite frankly, I wanted to try it out.  I have done a few things in the past but hadn't thought about it in awhile, until this week.  Tonight, I covered a clipboard in scrapbooking paper and a few other things.  Eventually, I'll probably share some pictures of LB's work and maybe mine, too ... but for now, I want to get back to my project.

So, Marie, if you arrived home tonight expecting some really deep and thought provoking  post ... I am sorry to disappoint you.  But, I did manage to pry my fingers apart long enough to post something and anyway, you only have yourself to blame!