The Final Year
One of the only extracurricular activities my children do – besides our normal routine which happens to be extremely varied and busy – is 4-H. We have been involved in 4-H since my oldest was 9. This year Serenity, Justus & Audrey raised lambs.
Since it was Serenity’s last year they all decided to raise the same animal.
We had them for about 5 months and then it was time to take them to EXPO where they show for 2 days and then they sell them at an auction where business owners/leaders are the main supporters.
Lambs had to be sheared…
Loaded….
And taken to EXPO where all the different animals (steers, lambs, goats & pigs) all have pens under this red and white tent.
The next day, the lambs had to be washed and cleaned so they would show nicely.
My girls’ lambs were in the same class for conformation… and both did… not so good.
And Justus’ lamb didn’t fare any better.
Showmanship didn’t go so well.
Serenity was asked to show a steer for a boy who had two, and she was thrilled to do it. She loved having a steer last year.
The day of the auction arrived and the kids had high hopes that they would have some good bidders since they had went to several business owners and talked to them about their projects and the auction. Audrey was the one that did all the calling. She likes doing it and the other two are more than happy to let her!
Serenity was a little dismayed when she saw the auction list and found out that she was the very last animal to go through. At our EXPO, the last animal is not always a bad thing but she wasn’t feeling too good about it.
But any fears were put to rest when they sold their animals. They all sold their lambs for the best prices in the auction but maybe because the business people knew this was Serenity’s last year, they wanted to give her a good send-off – but for whatever reason, her lamb sold for $22.00/pound. That was an exciting few minutes in the ring when the bids were popping.
I need to make a clarification. There was one steer that no animal came close to in its selling price. There was a steer that sold for $22,500. Yes, you read that right! $22,500. Incredible but oh, so exciting!
Serenity’s last year of 4-H…
Her cousin was able to be here. So special for Serenity!
Angela… our 4-H leader for 17 years now.
A few friends were a part of our 4-H group this year, so that made it even more enjoyable.
I only have two kids young enough to be in 4-H now. Time marches on and their childhood is over before you hardly realize it.
But then the grandkids come…
