First Day of School

It is hard to believe summer has come and gone and that today is the first day of school. This year brings a lot of changes for the Kraupp family. Our elementary school is kindergarten through 4th grade. The 5th graders in our town go the the Middle School. Early this spring we starting researching a charter school in a neighboring district. It really felt like the perfect fit for Annie, and we decided to have her attend there. When we found out some of her closest friends would be attending as well it felt perfect. So, we have Jake starting kindergarten in Homedale, Emma in 3rd grade in Homedale, and Annie in 5th grade at the charter school.

All of the kids seemed really excited to go to school. Kindergarten is going to be just what Jake needs. Emma has her best friends grandma as her teacher, and a class full of her closest friends. No surprise, Annie seemed the most nervous to start the school year. She has to wear uniforms. It is going to take so much stress out of her life. She hasn't been thrilled about it, but is adjusting. She is excited about the brand new school building.

All of the changes this year include a change in schedule. Annie has to be out the door 30 minutes before the other kids, and 30 minutes earlier than past years. This means we get everyone out of bed at 6:00. Whoa, 6:00.

Megan loves to wake up. For her 6:00 was no big deal.

Justin on the other hand, HATES to wake up and HATES to change out of pajamas to clothes.



Annie the 5th grader

Jake the kindergartner

Emma the 3rd grader

The first day of kindergarten was all Jake has been dreaming of and more. He had his own special spot with a name tag. When we dropped him off the room was eerily quiet with only the sound of sniffles and an occasional whimper. There were a lot of kids who weren't thrilled to be there. But...not Jake. He found his spot, and started waving, "Bye mom and dad! I love you!"

After kindergarten I met Jake at the school to ride the bus with him. He really wanted to do that alone, but when I told him all his friend's moms would be riding as well, he changed his mind in a hurry.

I wish I knew more about every one's first day. When it came time to tell me all about the day, you would have thought it was time to get a tooth pulled at the dentist's office. Annie and Emma had the usual shoulder shrug, but did confirm it was a good day. Jake can't remember doing anything.

Next year, the twins will go to preschool two mornings a week. I will be home alone. Why does everyone have to grow up?

On our way to pick Annie up froms school, our early morning caught up with everyone. I felt the same way!

The Fair

Last Wednesday through Saturday was the Owyhee County Fair. We prepared for fair all summer and it is hard to believe it has come and gone. To say we are proud of Annie and Emma for all their hard work and growth is an understatement.

Getting the lambs ready for fair meant scrubbing their woolly little bodies with dawn and hosing them down. What better place to tie them up than the mailbox? After they were all clean we loaded them up to take them to be sheered.

Yes, Emma is kissing her lamb.

Wednesday morning Travis, Annie, and Emma took the lambs down to the fair to check in and to be weighed. Both girls then had the responsibility of staying down at the fair to make sure their lambs stayed cool, clean, fed, watered, and happy. Travis was there almost the entire time, and when he left for a few minutes he left them with my cell phone. I got a call about every five minutes!

Wednesday afternoon Grandma Amy and Papa arrived. We were so happy they could come experience the fair with us and see firsthand how well the girls have done.

Wednesday night was Jake's night in the rodeo. It is his third year mutton bustin' and his first year being legally old enough. For the first time he made it out of the chute and stayed on the sheep until the sheep fell over. In past years he has cried and cried after his turn was finished. This year he finished with a grin! He and his dad celebrated with a diet coke.

Thursday was the sheep show. The girls are grouped by age and are judged first on how well they show their lambs. Before the show the lambs were beautified through yet another bath, a blow dry, and brushing.

Annie and Emma both did very well putting into action all that they have learned this summer. They interacted very well with the judge and handled their animals perfectly.

We were so thankful that Grandpa and Grandma Jo could come. Grandpa's health has been such a roller coaster. We had prepared ourselves realizing that a day in the heat sitting in a barn at the Owyhee County fair would be too much for him. But, combine the fact that he is one tough cookie with sheer determination, and there he came. He lasted all day! It was so nice to have them share the day with us.

After showmanship comes quality. The lambs are grouped by size and the judge goes through and out of each class picks the top two lambs. There were five total classes. Because of the way the lambs are grouped the girls compete regardless of age and experience and are put up against kids of all ages from 8 to 18. In Annie's class she took first place!!! Emma took second in her class!

Because they were both in the top two in their class they went to the finals. The judge quickly picked the grand champion lamb and had a terrible time deciding between Annie's lamb and another for reserve champion. Ultimately he went with the other lamb. Regardless, we couldn't be more proud. Annie and Emma worked so hard and took such good care of their animals. Of about seventy sheep they were in the top ten. Pretty incredible for their first year!

Annie in showmanship:

Emma in quality. Look at them in there with those high school kids!

Saturday was sale day. The day I have been dreading since we joined 4H this winter. Again, the lambs were washed and beautified. The lambs are sold by how well they do in the quality show. So, Annie and Emma were right at the first. As we prepared to go in the sale ring, I could see it sinking in to poor Emma. Annie was nervous so I was standing with her. I mouthed to Emma asking her if she was ok. She shook her head yes. About three minutes later Emma called for me and as soon as we made eye contact she burst into tears. So did I. The poor thing was crying so hard she could hardly stand. We bought our lambs from Fishers and were hoping that they would buy them back to become moms this spring. But, in an open sale, you never know. Even the thought of her lamb going back to Fishers was no comfort to Emma. She still wanted her little lamb in the backyard.

This picture says 1000 words. Heartbreaking.

Thank heavens for lots of love and support
Annie in the sale ring.

Emma in the sale ring.

Both lambs were sold to Fishers for $1000 each. The girls get to keep 20%. Ten for tithing and ten to spend. The rest will go into their bank accounts. Even such a high price at the sale didn't take the sting out for poor Emma. But, Fishers have promised she can go over anytime she likes. She would like to work for them. Such a sweet girl.

Did I mention how proud we are?

Summer Tradition

Summer is slipping away too quickly. I have been terrible this summer about keeping up to date on this blog. I already regret that I will not be able to look back and see what we did summer of 2011.

Every summer we take the kids to see a drive in movie at the Parma Motor Vu. This year we went with two other families. It is always such a fun night.

Last year by the end of the movie I had to put Justin's car seat in the back of the car. This year was no different. Trust me, its for his own safety. Maybe next year he can sit and watch a movie?