Tip Tuesday: Lead By Example

You are your child's first and most important teacher. So start early, start them young. It's important for children to learn about their civic duty and our Government.

We always make sure the kids are along when we vote. On the way to the polling place, we talk about the candidates and who we plan to vote for. After the 2008 election, we've also added the discussion of the importance of the secret ballot, as Liam decided to ask everyone who entered the polling location, "Are you voting for John McCain? Cause you should."

This election, Liam had to get on his bus early for school, so, being the BIG brother of the house, Sean had the duty to hold the ballot for Mommy. And yes, he's wearing his "Speaker of the House" T-Shirt.

Lead by example. Instilling the importance of voting and our Government (and the system) is important to me and my husband.

What traditions that are important to you and your spouse that you share with your children? Share your comments below.

Shuffle Saturday: The Iowa State Fair!

"Our State Fair is a great state fair
Don't Miss it don't even be late
(our state fair is great)
It's dollars to doughnuts at our state fair
It's the best state fair in the state"

I was singing these lyrics from the famous Roger and Hammerstein musical, State Fair, to my toddler Judah yesterday as we got ready for the Iowa State Fair. So naturally you heard this little tyke quoting, "don't even be late." Too cute.

The Iowa State Fair has become a tradition at our house. I grew up with an August birthday. One year, my parents asked me what I wanted to do and being from northeast Iowa (two hours away from Des Moines, the location of the fair), I mentioned I wanted to go to the Iowa State Fair. We had never been to the fair up to this point and after hearing about it from friends and seeing the commercials, I wanted to check it out. Every year since, my family and now my own family spends some time at the Iowa State Fair. And I think that is where Sarah is today as well with her family.

The Iowa State Fair has become more than an icon for Iowa residents and a stop for national political candidates. It is a tradition. Our family tradition. Each year we have our check list of must see items, eat items, and do items at the Iowa State Fair.

And the fair is never complete until we accomplish all on our list for that year. We have it down to a system; depending on where we are on the grounds, we make sure to take time to see something specific like the celebrated butter cow, the sand sculpture, see the western old village, view the "Hall of Breeds," or tour the 4-H building. We also know the food vendors inside and out and plan our meals and snacks around what we have not eaten yet: pork chop on a stick (from the Pork Producers), smoked turkey leg, our lamb burger (from Lamb Producers), cheeseburger (from Cattleman's Association), an ice cream cone (from the Dairy Barn), a giant dill pickle, an egg on a stick, and much more fried, greasy, and tasty flavors to fill our bellies.

On the side we squeeze in time for a show on one of the grounds many stages or at the Grand Stands. Other times we have participated in the sewing contest. Occasionally we hit the midway for rides. And we certainly enjoy the tractor pull.

This year Judah had fun posing by all the painted, ceramic cows in celebration of the 100 years "Butter Cow" exhibit. He particularly enjoyed seeing the giant pumpkins in front of the horticulture building and seeing the animals in the barns. He also danced along to some oldies and drooled over the cakes from the cake contest (calling them Happy Birthday cakes).

So once again for another year, we celebrated a family tradition. And today we are tired but it was well worth the time together. What are your favorite family traditions? Even more so, if you are a fair goer yourself, what are your favorite fair memories?

Shuffle Saturday: Easter Filled Weekend!

This morning we tried flying a kite until we just got too cold. Judah found his Easter present early and with a little morning sunshine peeking through, we decided to go outside for some fun. The kite made its way up in the air making Judah all the more excited.

Flying a kite together this morning as a family made me think of Easter traditions. What do you do with your family for Easter weekend?

Usually our weekend is filled with lots of Easter activities. Among them we will color eggs, dying them bright spring colors and decorating them with stickers. We hunt for candy filled plastic eggs spread all over the farm grounds. We participate in a Good Friday service and celebrate Easter morning again at church. We read the Easter story and share Easter baskets followed by feast and family for dinner.

This year, our neighbor friends made us a special treat. They brought us a pink egg laid by a great big baking hen. Making a pink batch of Rice Krispies, they covered a purple plastic candy filled egg with the gooey treat.


No matter what Easter traditions you enjoy year after year, the real tradition is spending the time with family. Do not be too busy this year to sit down with your family and talk about the gifts of Easter. Happy Easter! May it be sweet!