My boys are ALL about the fair. It gets brought about at least 74 times a day. They aren’t interested in the fair food. There isn’t any talk of deep fried oreos or egg rolls on a stick or spit roasted pig. They never mention the rides put together by stoned carnies. They could care less about the animals.
They talk about entering things for judging. They talk about it non-stop.
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I downloaded the forms to enter Marshall’s mission. Along with the forms comes the list of all the different categories that you can choose from. There are almost 200 different categories. As I was looking Marshall was leaning over my shoulder.
Marshall: Wait! Wait! Go back!
Me: Why?
Marshall: They have PRIZE MONEY!!!
Okay, technically they do have prize money. 1st place gets $3, 2nd place $2 and 3rd place $1. This of course is only after you pay 50 cents for each entry.
Really, what’s the point? Unless your Marshall. Who started counting all of his chickens before they could even think about being layed, let alone hatched.
I tried to head this off at the pass.
Me: Don’t get carried away. Just because you enter doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll win any prize money. There will be lots of kids entering their stuff in the fair, you don’t know what your competition’s like. (I’m such a kill joy)
Marshall had a bit of a sad puppy dog who was kicked kind of look.
Dave: That’s what I love about the fair. They judge based on the Dutch system. Each entry is judged on it’s own merit. They could have 5 pinewood derby cars and they could all win 1st place.
and the counting of the chickens started again. Thanks Dave.
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Daily I get asked to find the list of all the things they could enter in the fair.
“Hey mom, can we go buy a bunny to enter in the fair?”
“Hey mom, do you know how to make a collage?”
“Hey mom, how do I make a hot dog cooker?”
“Hey mom, can we make a quilt?”
“Can you teach me how to crochet?”
“Do you know how to weld?”
And it goes on and on and on. Endlessly every day. Quite a few times a day.
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Today it was rainy and miserable. I gave into the pressure. Marshall continued roofing and painting his mission.
Mike and I pulled out the sewing machine.
I was feeling a little guilty about abandoning math, but then I called an impromptu home ec class and read history aloud while he sewed square after square after square.
By the end of the day, the sink was full of dishes, we never did get around to English (he did read the directions for the quilt- I’m calling it good enough), and the house was a mess. But I had a very happy boy and a warm fuzzy blanket, all ready to be entered in the fair.
Overactiveovaries 
It looks great 🙂 he did a fantastic job!!
WOW awesome Job there.
Wonderful Job!!!
Don’t tell your kids, but Benjamin was awarded a check for $70.00 last year. : )
WOW!!!! I love the quilt. Looks good. Can you come teach my kids who to sew?
A homemade blanket and some basic knowledge about actually making something, and the amount of effort necessary to do so. Bookwork simply can’t compare.
That’s amazing! Well Done Mike! xx
You know I was just over on a website called Folksy (like the English version of Etsy!) and they are selling similar blankets for between £20 and £50!!! I think maybe you need to get all the kids involved and start a new business!!!!
Gosh Mikey has come a long ways since we
all made pillow cases. Tell him I’m proud of him
I wanna go to the fair!
I’ll have to share this one with Troy. He’ll be proud that I finally have kids entering in the fair!! Good Job Mikey!!