Fair Time

The Mid-State Fair is a great ol' fair. Don't miss it, don't even be laaaaate!

Wait...isn't that how I started my fair post last year? No? Hmmm...I could have sworn...Anyhow, bonus points if you can name the musical I just butchered. (Mom doesn't get to play.)

Last Thursday, we loaded Joseph up as soon as he woke from his nap and braved the heatwave that signaled the beginning of the Fair. We walked straight to the photo booth to take this year's picture before we were dusty and sweaty. We had wondered earlier this month if we'd be including a second little face next to Joseph's, but Gertie seems to have taken up permanent residence in The Belly. After our photo shoot, we met up with the Dawson side of the family and headed for the pony rides.

One of the local banks was sponsoring free pony rides until 7:00. This meant the kids went on more than once. They actually went on more than twice. They loved their ponies. Chad and I spent a few minutes reading the Pony Bios and discovered that most of them were rescue ponies who now led a pretty cush life - except for the fact that they walked in circles for hours at a time with excited children seated on top.

We finally talked the kids into leaving the ponies for the enjoyment of others and walked over to the midway.

Carnies barking, cotton candy, music blaring, lights flashing, corn dogs roasting, sawdust flying - all under a hot late afternoon sun. I love the smells, the sights, the sounds of a carnival. It equates fun, summer and youth. The kids lined up to ride the "kiddie" rides. They spun around in the dragon's belly, soared on Jumbo's back, roared on motorcycles and drove trucks. Sal was the brave one who, along with Boppa, climbed aboard a roller coaster that looked more shaky than fast.

We took a break for pizza and lemonade and then it was back to the rides. And games. Joseph was intrigued by all the different games. Chad helped him play ping pong tosses and a fishing game. We left that night as the sun was setting, hot and dirty and tired.

Sunday, we went back. Gluttons for punishment, we arrived a little earlier in the day and spent the first couple of hours roasting under the blistering summer sun. We met up with the fam again and briefly with the Loucks, who were there with Laners and his grandma.

Sunday is the day the animals arrive. We headed over to the barns to look at huge hogs, sheared sheep, friendly goats and contented cows. After dinner, we watched the pig races and said goodbye to the Dawson clan, continuing the evening with Jeff, Rachel and Benny.

Benny and Joe rode the rides with Jeff and Rachel while Chad and I started timing contractions. Because, you know, there's nothing more fun than having contractions at the fair unless it's having painful contractions at the fair. When they got to the point where I couldn't handle them any longer, we said our goodbyes and headed home. Where, of course, they promptly stopped.

Our last fair day was Monday. It was also the most mellow. Lady Antebellum played on the free stage and both Chad and I wanted to go. We arrived in the early evening, just in time to walk in. Chad found fried zucchini and pizza for us and we settled in to an awesome concert.

When they took the stage, everyone jumped to their feet. Chad put Joseph on his shoulders where Joseph listened very seriously and very intently to the "mookie".

Side note: Joseph doesn't have many baby words left. He uses words like "actually" and "frustrated" and "email". Two of the remaining words are "mookie" for music and "noo noos" for noodles. We know we should encourage him to use the proper words, but...he'll only be three for a little while.

After the concert ended, Joseph and I shared a cinnamon roll while seated on a grassy knoll near the front entrance. We were fair-ed out, but content. Although Joe mentioned going back and getting another cinnamon roll...