The End

Baby "K" was quite glad to hear that the end of fair had arrived!  He had quite the week of traveling, while both Mom and Dad were working long fair hours.  I wonder what he thought when he was able to spend his first night at home again?  As you can see, he was excited to hear the news!

Actually, this picture is courtesy of my friend EM.  She came to visit and helped my friend Lady Di with Baby "K" care for several nights.  We all were quite excited to have both of my friends' assistance.  Baby "K" was playing with them at the time they snapped this picture.  One would have thought there was cereal or something good to eat coming his way? 

Here is my wish for some exciting news for all of you too!

Cheddar Cheese & Spinach Donuts

You just never know what you will find at the county fair!  This year proved to be a treasture trove of possibilities.  The first find was this unique recipe for Cheddar Cheese and Spinach Donuts.  Youth participants brought food items, for judging, the day prior to the official start of fair.

This recipe was selected as a winner.  The recipe was so unusual and unique, that the judges discussed and tasted it for quite some length of time.  I snatched a bite, and can confirm that they are quite savory and delicious.  I totally recommend!

This recipe is also unusual, in that it was written with Japanese measurements.  My co-worker had to do a search on a Japanese cooking website for measurement conversion details.  All in all, I would say this recipe was a five star winner at this year's fair.  I do hope that the young man chooses to bake it for state competition in September!

Newborn

This little tyke arrived approximately 10 minutes after its mother arrived at the fairgrounds.  Several organizations, and many volunteer hands, made it possible to bring a expectant sow to the grounds for our annual summer fair.  Mama was quite the attraction!

She arrived Thursday morning, and her first baby was born minutes later.  Thirteen piglets were born on July 21!  By the way, thirteen piglets really is not a super large liter for a sow.  Some sows may have around 21 babies.  Now, that is a lot of mouths to feed!

The babies, and Mom, of course, hung out at the fairgrounds for the duration of the fair.  The piggies will grow quickly, and soon will eat grain and drink water.  However, for now, they are enjoying the good life with their Mama.  How is that for a happy story?

My Fair Lady

As I mentioned in a previous post, this summer event called fair really is all encompassing.  So much, in fact, that I really lose five days.  This means that the world continues to spin and function, but I really have no idea what is happening in the world outside of this event called fair. 

Anyway, in the midst of all the fair excitement, I had the best gift ever - a visit from a dear friend!  The difference between friends and great friends, are ones that will still come see you and hang out with you AND help you, even if you can't leave work.  Oh, and friends that will help you take care of your little baby who really is not sure that he likes fair right now.  More on that detail in a future post.

My fantastic friend EM came to visit from the east cost.  She even lent a hand with helping me parade results.  Thanks for coming to hang with me at the fair, oh, and helping me get some things checked off my list =)!

Under Water

Summer, in the world of youth development, is busy.  If there was another word out there that could describe busy on steroids, that is the word that I would choose to describe life at the present moment.  Things are a little crazy currently!

You see, we just finished a MAJOR event called fair.  This event involves hiring judges, moving tons of equipment and supplies (the van has a tire experiencing low tire pressure to prove it), managing events and people, cleaning - lots of cleaning, and working with all types of people.  Needless to say, all of the above is a delicate balance.

So, pardon me while I try to "swim" out from beneath the piles of paperwork, complete media work, tie up loose ends including thank yous, web details, photos, maps and more and basically regroup before next week's cooking show tapings and the following week's conference planning details for 103 kids.  Did I mention that things were a little busy at the moment?

Showered by Friends

Things are getting busy in the youth world of work!  As the summer temps heat up, so does the schedule for summer youth activities!  We did squeeze in a nice social weekend though before the crazy fair adventures will soon commence.

We were blessed to enjoy a garden party, some time with our good friend Miss "B" and a baby shower for our newly returned friend "LB."  All in all, Baby "K" took the new faces and new places in stride.  Here is a shot of the baby shower day.

LB will be having a baby girl quite soon.  We are getting excited, and know that LB will be an awesome Mom!  Baby "K" was one of three babies at LB's shower.  He was the youngest at 4 months, but was certainly not the smallest =)!

Sunday Bath

The temperatures are heating up, as summer is now officially here!  Our "Seven Summer Guests" have taken to daily dips in the large pond, south of the house.  There black coats often keep them quite warm during the warm weather.

Here is a snap of "the girls," as Mr. Fixit says, taking an afternoon dip.  I think they like their supersized swimming pool, and are getting more confident.  They venture out a bit deeper as the days pass.  Hope you all get a chance to enjoy a nice, cool swim too this summer!

4 Months!

Baby "K" has made it to the four month age mark, and we had a well-baby appointment and more shots to mark the day!  So, here are some stats from the world of Baby "K."

Current weight is: 17 pounds 4 ounces, and he has now entered the 90 %ile weight bracket.  Height is: 26 inches, and he moved up to the 75 %ile bracket.  Head circumference is: 16.5 inches, and he is still at the 50 %ile.  Baby "K" will start cereal tomorrow.  He has been nicknamed an "inchworm" because he scoots on his back by pushing along with his feet.

Baby "K" is still pretty popular with the daycare fan club, but I predict the fan base will soon decrease as he becomes more mobile, and really figures out how to grab toys!  Oh, and Baby "L" will be starting his daycare debut next week, so Mr. Fixit says, "This guy will be old news!"

One of our daycare provider's sons, "C" has been having fun with Baby "K."  Apparently he showed Baby "K" some of the baby dolls, and Baby "K" started babbling to them.  Now "C" calls the baby dolls, Baby "K's" "ladies."  Mr. Fixit's reply was, "Well, at least he likes girls!"

Italian Meatloaf

This is one of Mr. Fixit's favorite recipes!  I think it is a terrific favorite, because it takes few ingredients, and can be made ahead of time.  This comes in handy for busy nights and when crying babies do not let you cook!  So, here is how I make my meatloaf.

I use two pounds of ground beef, Italian bread crumbs, Italian salad dressing, shredded Italian cheeses, four eggs and Italian diced tomatoes.  Ummmmmm - yummy!  Mix all ingredients together, and spray two loaf pans with olive oil.  Divide the mixture between the pans, and bake at 350 for one hour.

Usually, I will mix this up and set it in the fridge for the next day.  It is perfect for a quick meal.  Mr. Fixit usually beats me home from work, so he can pop it in the oven, and dinner is ready soon after I get home.  Prep some potatoes in aluminum foil to bake with the meatloaf.  Then add a tossed salad or some frozen green beens, and dinner is served!

Festive Fourth

We enjoyed hanging out with Grandma and Grandpa this weekend.  Actually, it was a two Grandma weekend - we spent time seeing both Grandmas!  Neices #1 and #2 also came over for a visit, and spent the day with us.  They took turns entertaining Baby "K," and even got in on the bath action!

We joined the family for some breakfast before Grandma and Grandpa headed west.  My neices were dressed for a festive fourth!  They were also quite ready to take in some fireworks and ride some carnival rides.  I hope that my sister and brother-in-law had the energy to keep up with the girls' big plans!

Baby "K" and I enjoyed some television fireworks that night, while Mr. Fixit worked the local fireworks show.  So, he was able to experience live fireworks!  It was a terrific weekend!  We hope that your family enjoyed celebrating our nation's birthday too!

Naptime

Everyone feels so much better after a good nap!  I think that naps give Moms and Dads some regroup time too, even if we may not be doing the sleeping.  Baby "K" opted to not have a morning nap - which made for a tired little guy by the end of church.

Once we returned home, off to bed he went.  Baby "K" slept for 3 hours, and was quite the chatty guy when he awoke.  Here is a peaceful photo of our sleeping boy.  This babe seems to want to take in all the action, and miss his nap in the process.  Here is hoping we have many more days of napping sweet dreams!