saddle up

When you commit to join a 4H club the outline is fairly simple, you take part in the meetings which usually work out to six, two hour meetings and you wrap up with your achievement day. In our photography club, for example, achievement day was judging day at the fair. The kids had to submit pictures on the chosen topics which we then had judged. For Glee Club the kids put on a performance for their invited guests. You get the general idea.

Abby recently completed her first 4H horse club and achievement day required her to participate in a horse show. Now if you know Abby you know that this caused much anxiety and almost kept her from signing up for the club at all. The week before the show, which was taking place the Friday morning of the fair, she was a bundle of nerves wondering just how she was going to pull it off and fairly certain that the whole experience was going to be the opposite of fun.



We had to scramble a bit to put together a suitable show outfit, many thanks to Grandma Sandi for the clothes and the alterations and Sarah for the loan of the jacket, but in the end we got her looking right spiffy. Of course none of it would be possible if not for one of the club leaders trailering the world's most fantastic pony Star over to the fairgrounds!



Abby remained uncertain through the show on the subject of whether or not she was having fun. Horse shows, I am quickly learning, are a lot of hurry up and wait. So there was much down time, which Abby spent practicing when she could and Star spent grazing on all that delicious grass right at his feet when he could.



By the end of the day Abby had racked up two fourths, a fifth and a sixth (and I scored a wicked sun/wind burn) and, despite her thinking to the contrary, had a fabulous time and is fairly certain she's going to join the club again next year. It goes without saying how proud we are that she was able to have fun despite the nerves. Abby's experience that day really cemented what I find so fantastic about 4H as an organization. She was in a group of her peers where she's making lasting friendships, where she was supported and encouraged to do her best by her leaders and her fellow club members, and she left with a true feeling of accomplishment and increased confidence in herself. Win, win, win.

glee!

One of the many 4-H clubs that Abby has joined this year is Glee Club. She's been having a blast singing with her friends at practice, but the very cool part was the club had the opportunity to sing both the Canadian and American National anthems at the Bulldogs game. I wasn't actually involved with the leadership of this club, so Mike and I got to just be spectators along with the rest of the family and some friends.



Abby said she was super nervous walking out to the ice. To the point where she thought she might toss her cookies, but she once they started singing she was fine.

Obviously we bought tickets to the game as did the grandparents and some friends. We ended up taking up an entire row. I won't lie my heart was in my throat as she sang and I was just about busting with pride. And I appreciate, so much, everyone who took time out to come and hang with us. It was just a night full of laughs and seat hopping and oh hey... there was even a hockey game on!

I've said it before, but I will say it again..... this whole family is just loving the 4-H experience!

4h

My girls are both card carrying 4-H members. Michael and I both card carrying 4-H leaders. Now most of you are asking what in the hell is 4-H? Some of you are asking isn't that the club for farm kids? A couple of you are nodding your heads because you know exactly what I'm talking about.

Actually, 4-H is a grassroots organization of leaders building leaders. At the beginning of each 4-H meeting the club participants recite the 4-H pledge that speaks to the organization's big picture message...

I pledge my head to clearer thinking,
my heart to greater loyalty,
my hands to larger service and
my health to better living
for my club, my community and my country.

In 4-H kids aged 9-21 learn to do by doing. Leaders come together to create a 4-H club and the members learn about the topic selected. During the course of the club (12 hours in length, typically six - two hour meetings) kids develop leadership skills like public speaking, meeting management, parliamentary procedure, decision making and communicating. For a mere $65 a year the kids are welcome to participate in as many clubs as they'd like. Abby is currently signed up for a bunch of clubs - photography, glee, horse, drama, gardening, and photo editing.

For the 6-8 year old set, 4-H offers the Cloverbud program, of which Maya is a member and Mike and I are two of the leaders and Abby tags along to lend a hand too. The little ones keep us on our toes, but we're both having such a fun time with it. Cloverbuds runs the whole year, we aim for a meeting every three or four weeks on topics like paper crafts, dairy cows, dance, the five senses and celebrations around the world.

This afternoon Mike and I spent at the police station picking up our police checks, so it looks like we're in this for the long haul. This is really something I wouldn't have been capable of doing before... from the volunteer screening interview to the police check process to providing leadership. I am really so happy to be in this place though. This experience so far has been fantastic for both girls, but also incredibly rewarding for me. I can't wait to share all of our 4-H adventures with you.