Halloween School Parties & Farm Kid Costumes



Princess, hero and...cow?

 

Halloween parties at school have now become Fall parties where we live.  Our elementary age kids are still allowed to dress up in costume and parade through school for everyone to see.  This is an annual tradition for the kids, just as much as organizing the party is for the parents.  I've always tried to do my part and can't count how many cheese trays, gallons of chocolate milk and other treats I've hauled into the classroom for the kids over the years.  Like most other Mom's, I did it because I wanted to and enjoyed alomost every minute.  Unfortunately, my boys have now grown out of the elementary tradition.  The parties will always be great memories for me with the exception of arguing over costume ideas.





The only kid dressed as a cow.



Costumes always brought about the biggest delimma.  My idea of a great costume didn't always agree with my kids.  Go figure.  Farm kids are just like all other kids and want to be something or someone really cool on Halloween.  My boys have been a country singer (with guitar), a fireman, batman, farmers (one even with an inflatable tractor), football players, and one year my greatest challenge...a cow.  What started out as a great idea for both Mom kid ended in doubt for my son.  The closer to the big day, the greater his doubts about wearing an inflatable cow costume became.  In the end, Mom won (sort of) and kiddo wore the costume.  I have pictures to prove it.  What I don't have pictures of, is me in my cow costume.  Yep, Mom had to wear one too.  Ah, the things we do for our kids.  I'm sure another mom snapped a picture of me in my full cow glory, but I haven't tried too hard to find it.

Quality Time & New Hats

How many people can say they wish they could have more quality time with their spouse?  I'm one of the few who can say that I spend a lot of time with my husband.  We work together almost everyday (except the few days I work at the vet clinic) so we spend more time together than apart.  It's a good thing we get along so well.

Today I got to go on a "parts run" (or go after a parts for a piece of machinery).  This meant we would spend over 2 hours in a vehicle without kids and spotty cell phone service.  I have to admit I caught myself thinking about the things I needed to get done in the house...laundry, dishes, vacuuming, ironing, etc.  On the other hand, it was pretty nice to have some company since I usually end up going on errands by myself.  All in all, it was a good trip.

Farm supply stores, machinery dealers, feed stores and the like usually give hats to regular customers.  It's a great way to advertise because what farmer doesn't wear a hat?  Hubby was in need of a new hat, so he asked if they had any.  I was really surprised when the wonderful lady brought one out for me too.  This doesn't happen very often and I usually get swindled out of mine when I get home.  I'm pretty sure that won't happen this time...it's pink, really pink.  So "Thank You" to the awesome gal at the parts counter and  I'll take all the quality time I can get.

What's your Uniform?

Yesterday I had the privilege of speaking to a group in Kansas City.  To some that doesn't sound like any big deal, but for me it was.  It's not every day that a dairy farmer gets to speak to a group of professionals about dairy farming and social media.  Fortunately for me, downtown traffic wasn't too bad, my GPS knew where I needed to turn and it was a wonderful group (thank you PRSA).

I spent the majority of my day "out of uniform".  Instead of jeans, t-shirt/sweatshirt and barn boots, I donned a more professional look.  Some were surprised to find out that I was a dairy farmer.  The same thing has happened on other occasions when my husband and I go somewhere and "dress up" or when I wear scrubs at the vet clinic.  Just about every job has a uniform or dress code and when I see someone out of "uniform", it sometimes takes me a minute to remember where I know them from.  After a long day yesterday, I will say that I didn't mind changing into my chore clothes when I got home in time to help milk the cows.

The next time you meet someone, don't just assume you know what they do for a living just by the way they dress.  You might just be surprised.  On the other hand, after the luncheon was over yesterday I don't think anyone would have had too much trouble figuring out which vehicle was mine in the parking lot...it was the only farm truck there.  I guess some things are just obvious.

Take 5...or more

Early morning view from my back door.

Ask anyone how they are and you normally get a response of "fine", "okay" or something similar.  Lately it seems everyone is "busy".  We all seem to be running from one meeting or event to the next without a break.  When was the last time you took 5 minutes to enjoy yourself, spend with your child, loved one or best friend?  Maybe 5 minutes isn't enough time and you should consider more than that.



Just 5 minutes later...



I was cleaning the kitchen this morning and glanced out the window at the cows grazing in the pasture.  The fog and sun rising made a fairly pretty scene, so I snapped a quick picture.  The dogs barked at something a few minutes later so I looked outside and noticed the cows were still grazing, but the sunlight and fog gave a completely different picture.  Then just 5 minutes later, the fog had really moved in and one could hardly see the cows.  So much can change in just 5 minutes.  Take 5 (or more) for yourself, a loved one, a friend you've been meaning to call and you might just make their day.