Fair Time!!

I went to the Arizona State Fair once in junior high as a part of my dance company and feared for my life. Our dressing trailer was right next door to the witch with a crystal ball and she yelled at us for being too loud and waking her. She needed her sleep to rest her inner eye ... uh huh. After that, I had no interest in fairs. Then I met Landon and all he could do was brag about the Minnesota State Fair, claiming it was the best in the US. So, we took a weekend trip and visited St. Paul with his parents and he was right, the fair was amazing! I loved the food and the animals and the sights. He had definitely convinced me fairs could be fun.

Well, our last hurrah before school was taking the boys to their first fair. It definitely wasn't as huge and spectacular as the Minnesota State Fair, but for the boys it was a perfect first experience.

We started in the bugs, snakes, and reptiles exhibit where we even saw an alligator only a foot away from us! The boys kept running from cage to cage fascinated. Then we offered to let the boys hold a snake and I was sure they'd refuse, but they jumped at the idea without fear!

Next, we redeemed passes for the boys for unlimited rides, which was totally worth it. They never got sick of riding in a circle, up and down, in jeeps, cars, motorcycles, robots ... the list goes on!

The only ride I paid for was the ferris wheel, which was my favorite as a kid. Although I will say, riding it as a parent is a whole different story. Every time Trenton or Sawyer moved towards the railing or tried to see over the edge, my heart would race. It really is so high up! haha

Of course, Landon and Uncle Aaron had to test their skills at some of the carnival games and win the boys some prizes. We got a good laugh out of Trenton's pick:

Good ole gun-toting, conservative Republican Northern Idaho =)

Next, we headed for the farm animals, many of which the boys have never seen in person. Sawyer could not get enough of the chickens! There had to be a hundred cages in there and he visited each one, clucking or having a staring contest with the inhabitant.



The big draft horses were some of my favorite. They were huge, especially to the boys. As we were walking around admiring them, Trenton ran to catch up with Landon and Mimi and headed right for a horse who was sticking his nose out into the aisle. He startled the horse, who nipped right at his face!! His lips missed Trenton's nose by inches! Poor Trenton was totally freaked out. Sawyer, on the other hand, watched the whole thing, laughed and immediately ran at the horse, face outstretched, nose tilted high, hoping for his own turn! It's cliche, but this kid really would jump off a bridge if Trenton did! Before leaving the stable, we made sure both boys were comfortable around horses, but aware of how to keep their distance as well.

Of course, we ate tons of good food and Landon enjoyed a couple of beer breaks. Then we finished the eight hour day with more rides. Once again, the boys surprised me and tackled this mini roller coaster without fear.

It was a wonderful day and I was so proud of the boys who lasted the whole time without a nap and without a single tantrum. =)