THE County Fair

We enjoyed a fun weekend at the county fair.  Fun enough that this is kind of going to be a long little journal entry.

It started out with a PERFECT activity for our family.  It was a combination of free stuff, geocaching, and a little county fair action.  That's right, if you locate the geocache at just the right time, there were free arena tickets!  We got the first set of tickets and went to the demolition derby.  Two funny things.  One, Joey was talking in his sleep that night, hoping Dad wouldn't crash the car.  Michael LOVED it and stayed awake for almost the whole thing but he eventually crashed, and by crashed, I mean Mike flipped him up to a fireman's carry, and the boy didn't stir.

The kids and I all entered things into the fair exhibits.  I reupholstered my second chair last week, and the kids made bead bracelets.  We all got blue ribbons.  The kids were very excited to see the blue ribbons next to their bracelets.  Their blue ribbons are already proudly displayed in their rooms.

Mike also accepted a volunteer position as the MC at the contest tent for the big family contest this year.  Last year was "Fear Factor" (any fond memories?) and this year  was "Minute to Win It."  It was a little crazy with 10 teams, but I think everyone had a good time.  He did a great job!

I even gave him a haircut the night before so he could look legit.

The kids entered the "Oreo Stacking" competition.  True to form, I had a camera and a nearly dead battery.  I wish I would have caught a shot of Adelyn.  She had her tower stacked two times as big as any of the other kids... she didn't realize she wasn't allowed to support it with her hands and I was busy with the boys to see what she was doing until it was too late.  When they told her it had to be free-standing, it went free-falling.  They were sad, but we came home with a couple packages of Oreos, so they were plenty satisfied.

Joey really wanted to get to business.  I thought he just wanted to eat the cookies, but he never put one to his lips until the contest was over.  He stacked just like the big kids.  I was impressed.

We bought some carnival tickets early at half price and let the kids pick 4 rides each.  I was surprised at how much Adelyn enjoyed the rides.  Both the boys had a great time too.  Michael is my little rule-breaker and wanted to stick his hands and arms everywhere outside of the rides and stand up while the rockets were at their highest.  On the last ride, he was standing on the seat of his Merry-go-round horse.  Grrr!

Their faces show remnants of the Oreo stacking contest.

I was sad I couldn't race this year in the 5k, especially since they added a family competition this year.  The first 5 team members to cross the finish line from your family are scored with other family teams just like a x-country track meet.  And even harder for me... my family did so well!!  They got 2nd place!  The kids and I were the cheerleaders.  We handed out Jolly Ranchers half way through, and met everyone at the finish line.  My only consolation is that my rival of this race would have killed me with her time this year.  Mike beat his last year's time by over a minute!

 Go Team "Si Se Puede"

Adelyn was in the parade this year as a "dancer."  She didn't dance, but got to ride on the trailer with the other little ones in her school.  She was thrilled to get dressed-up this morning, and I think she felt pretty grown up, being able to be in the parade without someone else from the family.  We came home with about $10 worth of candy from the parade (either in bags or bellies).  Thank goodness there was someone giving out string cheese for us non-sugar snackers.

All dressed up.

Today, Mike got to take the time off work, and we had a great day together with family.  I can't wait until Labor Day next year!