It’s been a long six weeks here. I’ve been trying to push through all the emotions of the last month and a half, plus I’m still tired and run-down from being sick and grieving. It’s been good to be cocooned at home, but we needed to get out and get some fresh air and fun. So, yesterday my mom and I took the kids to the local valley fair.
We arrived just after opening on the first day, so we practically had the place to ourselves. I went to this fair when I was growing up and things have definitely changed, although the spirit of fun and junk food is still the same. The kids had their pick of the rides, and James had finally reached a very important milestone — tall enough to go on all of the kiddie rides!
He took it very seriously, where Annie did…not:
Why do I always go on this ride with them? I wanted to hurl.
Annabel even went on a fast spinning ride with my mom, which filled James with angst (he wasn’t tall enough), but made me proud. She’s getting brave!
When we weren’t on rides, we played games:
And went through fun house mirror mazes that ended in two-story slides:
Of course, it’s not a fair without eating junk food. James was upset to discover I’d bought him a chocolate dipped cone. Apparently the presence of a delicious chocolate shell was upsetting to him? I don’t know where he came from.
Don’t worry, he got over it…although clearly we have trust issues now.
He paid me back by eating his churro like some kind of monster:
IT’S NOT CORN, JAMES!
After all that sugar, the kids needed to burn off some energy. Since the fair still hadn’t gotten crowded, the kids took advantage of all the open space.
We came home sticky and dusty and happy. It was exactly what we needed.
Elisa says:
That picture of James with the ice cream cone is the funniest thing I’ve seen all week.
Bren says:
Agree! That’s a treasure!
Rebecca says:
It looks like you all had a great time! The fun house was always my favorite part of going to the fair. I haven’t seen one in about fifteen years! Kind of jealous…
(My favorite part of the fun house was the big circle at the end that would tumble you around like you were in the dryer. That’s probably why they’re not around as much anymore.)
suzy says:
“like some kind of monster”….you crack me up! sending you virtual peace.
Beth says:
How dare you give him a ice cream covered in chocolate???
Holly says:
James in tears over the chocolate dipped ice cream cone is HILARIOUS. That photo belongs in a calendar or something.
Jana L Frerichs says:
The ice cream and churro pictures/commentary had me literally laughing out loud! So funny!
Peggy says:
please please please have the pic of a crying James with his ice cream turned into a canvas! it’s priceless!
Jerilynn says:
ROFL! You can buy me a chocolate dipped cone anytime and I won’t cry! Love these!
Jeanie says:
Now, that looks like fun. And a beautiful day besides. I love that VW James is riding in, and his crying with the ice cream cone cracks me up. But don’t tell him that.
Lanie says:
Grieving is exhausting – so glad that you all got out and had such a fun day at the fair (minus chocolate covered ice cream torture:-) )! xo
Leah says:
Awesome. I would take my children to fairs more if they were that empty. It’s the crowds that make me a stressball. I feel like I have to make sure I know where both kids are every single second.
Meg says:
It’s probably wrong, and I’m going to hell, but I laughed so hard at the picture of him sobbing with his giant, delicious ice cream cone.
roshan says:
Jamesie’s mom has mad photography skills. I’m always amazed at the vivid photos she captures of her kids in action. Tipping my imaginary hat to you, Jamesie’s Mom!