The boys are gone again this week. This is State Congress week for 4H in NC. That means they head to Raleigh and compete, take classes, and have fun. This is the first year that #2 can attend, and he was nervous when he left Monday. He actually can only stay Monday and Tuesday, and will return Tuesday evening. The pictures below are from the District Activity Day back in June.

 District Activity Day is a competition for giving presentations. It was the day that we left for WV for camp, so the kids were anxious to get it over with for more than one reason! I didn't get to see #1 give his talk. He was in the Public Speaking category which means he gave a 5-8 minute speech without presentation boards or props. His topic was "War: What Is It Good For?" He came in second place and will be competing Tuesday morning for the State title.

#2 gave a presentation in the Forestry category, and he won Gold in the District. He competes for the State title as well. His presentation has boards and a few picture props. His topic is prescribed burns. The district judges said it was the best they saw all day. I hope he does well at State!

This is the last of the big summer events for 4H. Hallelujah!! We are all tired and ready to stay home for a while. I know the dog will be glad when this is all over. Every time she sees me doing laundry now, she starts to shake. I guess she knows it means the kids are leaving again.
Last week when we took #2 to camp, we put her in the dog kennel in the goat field. We were gone for one night, and when we got back this was on the door:

7/11/11
Your black and white dog has found her way back to our neighborhood again this year. We live in S--- off I--- RD...just take a right from your house.
We're concerned because the neighbors have talked about calling the pound. Mary

Isn't that lovely? I headed right over without even finishing the unpacking and scooped her up in the van. Kelly thought she was a queen. I informed her she was NOT! And then the next day, while I was working in the garden, off she went again. Someone else from the neighborhood came over to tell me she was there again. There are kids at home over there is why she returns.
So she has been a prisoner ever since. She isn't very happy about it, but the other option is death at the pound. Since #1 volunteers there once a week, I don't think that would be a good plan. Hopefully once the boys are back to stay she will behave herself more often.