Though I could write a post about how big of slobs my kids are with the same title, this is actually a post about the stock show. The Utah State Jr. Livestock Show, to be more exact (since Zane is the Secretary, I better use it's proper title). The stock show comes to Spanish Fork every year on the first weekend of May, and has for the last million years. Zane and his siblings used to show pigs when they were growing up, and he became the Secretary about six years ago. Kids aged 8-18 who are involved in 4-H or FFA come from all over the State to show cows, sheep, and of course, pigs. This is a big deal to some people, and those who win wear their shiny award belt buckles with pride. Let me just tell you, Zane was SO excited for Alivia to turn 8 and be old enough to show a pig last year, and this year was no exception. He would bring her down to the farm almost every day to feed her pig, clean it's pen, and play with it. We bit our nails waiting to find out if her pig was going to be big enough to show. And we made sure to cover all the details. Her pig was washed and trimmed (yes, pigs have hair, but you have to look close to see it), and we oiled and powdered it up with the finest Johnson's Baby Products has to offer. Alivia had her pig ready for weigh in on Wednesday, then was up bright and early Thursday morning to have it judged. Apparantly pigs have to have nice haunches- muscular, but not too meaty. Now that's a nice rump, don't you think?
On Friday morning, the kids participate in a category called Fitting and Showmanship, where the kids are judged on how well they control their animal while keeping eye contact with the judge and a smile on their face. We got her ready in her white collared shirt and clean dark jeans, pinned on her new 4-H badge, and did her hair all up so she'd be the cutest hog handler in the arena. She was, too. Her pig didn't win this year, but she sure had fun and her parents were proud- especially Dad (I think sometimes we are allowed to relive our childhoods through our kids).
On Saturday, the kids sold their animals at the auction, which is their favorite part (no surprise, considering Alivia's pig went for a whopping $475 this year). So Oinkers II went off to the butchers, and someone will sure get some nice hams, roasts, and pork chops out of him. Alivia's okay with that because next year will roll around all too quickly, and she'll start working on Oinkers III. I just wish she'd keep her room as clean as she keeps her pig-pen.
6 comments:
Yay Livvy. Carrying on the family tradition. She definitely is the cutest pig handler-although I think that pig is a big as she is!
That pig is huge! Holy cow! or Pig! I would have luved to have been there to watch Zane and his expressions of pride as his sweet little daughter did her thing. How fun! Go Livvy!
How fun for her. That's awesome!
We'll have to talk. Jordan is doing FFA next year for school. My kids would love a pig but I think it would be more like charlottes web than show and sell.
Pigs seem so much more fun than sheep. When I did 4h we sold our sheep the same way. I think that is so cool you let her do it. When I saw the back of that pig I thought you had got a picture of my bum, but then I noticed the tail and I felt better. HEE HEE congrats Alivia
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