Fair Week is always busy for the Hollands. Part I

The busyness began Monday getting ready for all the festivties. Scrounging up a car for the parade was first on the agenda. Sean and I called everyone we know that had a convertible but to no avail. Then, we thought of Susie Butler. She has a bright yellow Pontiac Solstice and was nice enough to let Sean drive Kennedy in the parade. K loved it soo much. She was riding in the parade because she was a contestant in the Sebastastian County Fair Princess. Soo, it was off tothe parade. Kennedy thought the parade was more exciting than the pageant. She wore her snakeskin dress and her boots. She sat up so tall and proud waving the pageant wave.




For the past three years, Kennedy has shown a calf. Her first experience was Norman, a bottle fed calf who she saved. He was light brown and very fragile, for lack of a better word. Then there was Ears, who was named for those parts of her body. She was half Bremer with a red coat. She and Ears bonded and became good partners. That calf would follow her anywhere. Ears was such a good heifer that grew to be over 500 lbs and Kennedy showed her again. Kennedy loved showing her calf and was very proud ofher showmanship award, her purple Grand Champion ribbons.

This year was a bit different. The calf's name is Bella, she came to us about one month ago. Sean worked with this calf every day trying to get her ready for the Sebastain County Fair. She seemed ready, a little "antsy" as Sean and Kennedy described her, but ready none the less. As she lead the calf into the area, Bella decided that she would not perform. She headbutted Kennedy four times and made her cry. Sean had to help K lead Bella into the ring. K cried all afternoon.

This year was Scott's first year to show. He is four and did a great job. He had a little help from dad but was soo proud. His calf was "Lady" after the purple engine that is a friend of his favorite engine, Thomas. Scott did not have a good relationship with Lady at first. She was very hungry and ran over him in the process of getting to her food. He began to like her better after he waited to work with her after she ate.

He walked out into the arena leading Lady as if he had done it a hundred times. Chest puffed out, he walked so proud, as he should be. Considering the weight difference inthe two. Both of the "pee wees"as they are called at this age got a purple ribbon. It takes a lot just to get them out there much less the time and effort it takes before you get there. Ask Sean about that, I am not quite sure of all the details. Give me hair and makeup I am good. Dirt and other things, not so much. Both of my babies made me proud.

Klaire was at the fair also. she did a lot of sitting and waiting. That's how she spends most of her time these days.

I don't have a picture of our lifesavers every year at the fair but they are always there and so helpful. The Taylor girls: mom, Susan, Claire, Aubrey, Christine, and Madeline. These girls are so great to do anything Kennedy (and Scott this year) need help with from scooping poop to helping lead cattle. They even do fun stuff like tie kennedy up with duct tape. She asked for it(litterally and figurateltly) and keep everyone entertained.

Thanks Taylor Girls for showing my children how to have fun and be responsible all at the same time.

What kids say

WOW! Kennedy made me so proud today. SHe is going to be in the fair queen pagant this year. She will be one of the oldest in her division so we thought it would be a fun experience. I was nervous at first because she is such an overachiever I was worried about how it would be if she doesn't win. We talked about how she might not win but it would be fun to get dressed up. Anyway, we were practicing our "walk" and then I told her there might be some questions on stage. She won't be judged on them but she still needed to be ready. We went through several questions. Here were her answers.. you will see why I was proud when you read the question about her favorite book.

Me: What do you like to do for fun?
Ken: I like to read books and ride horses.
Me: Do you have a horse?
Ken: yes, spirit is her name.
Me:You said you like to read, what is your favorite book?
Ken: Well, I like the Junie B Jones books but The Giving Tree is my favorite.(surprised look on my face)
Me:Why?
Ken: The tree gives away everything to other people and I want to be like that.

This made me so proud because this came with absolutely no prompting by me. I just wanted to hear her answers. It makes me feel good as a mom that she picked something with some substance. I am soo proud ofher. Can't wait til pageant night.

Yesterday was open house at East Pointe and we went to meet Mrs. Baxley. Kennedy had written her a note and got a gift together for her. The soap and handsanitizer wrapped with a hand towel and big ribbon. We worked hard to get that bow tied just right. So, we tour the school and then go into her classroom. Ms. Baxley is opening Kennedy's card and says,"Thanks Kennedy. Now I can get a coke." Kennedy had given Ms. Baxley a dollar. OMG! I was so surprised. Soo funny. She thinks thats a big deal because she gets a dollar in the mail from Gransy and Popsy. Going to be a great year.

After spending time with Kennedy's teacher, Mrs. Baxley I know that God has her in the right place. I am soo excited about this year. There are good kids in her class and the parties will be fun with other parents. I am thankful that I didn't write that letter I debated about. This year is going to be good. Kennedy is so excited about her teacher and her class.

The teacher

We went to the school the other day to find out who Kennedy's teacher was. We have been talking all summer about who her teacher is. She really wanted to get Ms. Watts because we go to church with her and Kennedy feels comfortable with her. I tried to explain to her that she may not get her. I was hoping she might get her too. I really debated about whether or not to write a letter and "request" a teacher. I thought that might help get the teacher we both wanted.

After much prayer and talking to Godly friends, I decided NOT to write that letter. The trip to the school was so much fun. Kennedy was so excited as was I. We both realized that she did not get Ms. Watts. I was a bit disappointed.. at first. Then I realized that we got Gina Baxley. Kennedy was okay with not having who she orginally wanted and I was good with that too.



After seeing the list of students we got even more excited about her class this year. I am so thankful for good friends for Kennedy. There are so many kids in the class. This day was such a fun experience and Kennedy got to share it with her good friend Lindsey. Lindsey's first year of school will be this year.

More pics of the beach.. here is how the big kids had fun.. pushing each other into the pool.

Just a different perspective...

One of Charlie's angels came to visit while we were there

crabs caught by daddy, kennedy, scott and popsy. love chasing those crabs after dark. Mommy and Gransy were watching Alyse Eady win Miss Arkansas via the internet.