IPM

Since the International Plowing Match was practically in our backyard this year, we thought we should make a day of it and go. So we ventured out on Saturday (which was definitely the coldest day of the week). Parking was a ways away, so we began with a tractor/wagon ride (about 15 minutes long) which brought us to the tented city. That was one of the chillier parts of the day (somehow it was a lot warmer at home and so we were a bit underdressed for the weather).

Lots and lots to look at. We didn't see it all and we were probably there for about 6 hours. There was lots for the kids to do and look at and popcorn, apples, and candy along the way helped to make an enjoyable day . . . not to mention bags, stickers, tatoos, pencils, and activity books. We came home with lots of loot.

Taxidermy stuff.

In one of the kids tent they had a performance and of course the kids could go up and make music or sing. Kylie, being our girl who LOVES to sing, really wanted to go up. She did and stayed up pretty much the whole time we were in there . . .

Kevin raised his hand when asked to name an animal on old McDonald's farm. He chose horse and then he was "forced" to go up and make the "neigh" sound when it came to that part of the song . . . he found it all rather embarrassing and decided he was never going to raise his hand for something like this again . . . (none of the other kids had to go up when they named their animal)
But he kept a big smile on his face the whole time.

More face painting. (they had to hear the story of Noah - the story of sin, grace, and salvation - and then they got to have their faces painted.)

And the MAJOR highlight of the day . . . .

We first passed the booth at about 11:30am and the first available time slot was 3pm, so figuring we'd still be around then, we signed up. (Kevin wasn't so sure about it at first, but Kade was ready to jump right in, so we convinced Kevin that he would be jealous when the time came, if he didn't sign up . . . .and we were right. So he jumped aboard.)

They did a bit of training and explaining,but the kids got a 1/2 hour to learn and practice.

They LOVED it and they did well too.

Though Kade did edge Kevin out of the boundaries . . . or so Kevin tells it. I was just snapping the picture below when all of the sudden I see Kevin zoom out of the opening between the bales. He had a rather sheepish look on his face, but did a big circle and rode back in like nothing ever happened.

It was a fun day and I'm glad we went. Though it took me most of the night to get the chill out of my body . . . and hot water bottles for all the kids in bed that night:)