Big Spotted Cow

This week of May...

Suddenly, it feels as if there is a LOT going on!

By now, most of you should have mailed in your Spring Show entry forms (they were sent to you via e-mail, but will also be posted here).

Your club enrollment forms should be almost complete. Remember that while you can join 4-H at any time of the year, and requirements to show at Fair vary by division, you cannot compete at the 2008 IC Fair if you submit your enrollment forms after June 1.

We have a very full agenda for this week's Leaders' Council, so we urge all of you to send at least one representative from your club to this meeting. Also, please encourage your senior 4-H'ers and club officers to attend, as we will be deciding how to schedule Achievement and Rally Nights, and will be addressing some policy issues about Fair participation.

Finally, don't miss the Healthy Youth and Community Fair, Saturday, May 10th, at Langley Middle School. This looks like a GREAT event, and it's FREE!

Download cat_entry_2008.doc
Download alpaca_entry_2008.doc
Download cavy_entry_2008.doc
Download dog_entry_2008.doc
Download horse_spring_show_entry_form_2008.doc
Download sheep_entry_2008.doc
Download healthy_youth_and_community_fair_brochure_final.doc

The Power of Being Positive

I just received a most wonderful e-mail from one of our horse club members! It was a list of ways to give positive feedback even in circumstances that some might find disappointing. Especially when it comes to kids, in a voluntary organization like 4-H, there is no need to be critical of their efforts. To quote this leader...

"Have you ever had a show that your child didn't do as well as they had hoped? Have you ever sensed that your child wanted to avoid you after they have a disappointing performance; trying to prolong your negative words and feedback?

What do we say to our kids when they are hard enough on themselves?  What can we HONESTLY say to our child, or for that fact, someone else's  child that is positive and encouraging?  Here are a few magical and honest phrases to remember:

"I LOVE WATCHING YOU RIDE!"  "I LOVE WATCHING YOU WORK YOUR HORSE (DOG,CAT, OR WHATEVER)"  "I LOVE WATCHING YOU WORK SO HARD"  "I LOVE SEEING YOU SMILE WHEN YOU'RE WITH YOUR HORSE (DOG, CAT, SHEEP, WHATEVER)"

Even if our kids have a bad day, we can find positive words to share with them, and still be completely honest.  (Maybe Sally didn't have a very good class, but it sure was fun to watch her perform!) Let's instill POISE  and CONFIDENCE in our children!!!"

What a great approach. Can we all practice it at Spring Show?

Bake Sale

So, have you started baking yet? Spring Show is set for Saturday, May 17th, at the Island County Fairgrounds and we need your goodies for our bake sale! We also could use the recipes for the goodies you bring. Why? Each year, we talk about collecting recipes for a 4-H Cookbook, and each year we seem to get distracted and let that project fade.

But if you have the time and interest, you could be one of folks who makes the cookbook really happen. And since we are growing our Food For Thought Program, this would be the perfect time.

If you don't want to share any family secrets though, but are willing to bring the baked goods anyway, just be sure to attach a list of the ingredients. This will allow folks with food allergies to make wise choices.