County Fair Fun

I was sorting some pictures this afternoon and realized I had not blogged about our annual trip to the County Fair. How could I have a complete yearbook without the County Fair? We look forward to it all summer. Tom grew up on a farm. He was in 4H and spent many weeks of his life sleeping at the County Fair to keep watch over their prize animals stabled for show. When we started dating and attending together I realized this event was a big deal. Tom knew everybody. It was the one time a year farm families meeted and greeted, it was alumni week. Once the kids were born it was even more fun for Tom. Not only showing them the sights and sounds of the fair but sharing memories, giving them a glimpse of the boy and man he was before he was their Dad. First we toured the animals. Nate felt it was his duty to run right up to the pens and yell at each animal what sound they were supposed to make. “MOO!” “BAA” “OINK”. Sometimes he was rewarded with a Moo or Baa back but mostly blank stares. Annabelle judged each pen by their decorations and the name given to the animal. It was the first time we had ever let both of them out in public just holding hands and not strapped in the stroller. A kind man took his bunny out of the cage for them to pet after hearing me instruct them once again to keep their hands out. Nice was impressed with the giant “ice-a-cream” cone walking around which would have been more appetizing if the wearer didn’t have ape hairy legs. Of course his favorite part was when we redeemed the coupon given by the ape-cone and got some real ice-a-cream. Annabelle wanted to ride the slides. She marched right up to the biggest one only to be disappointed that the height requirement was 46”. She told the man she would be back next year. She goes to her growth chart in her room about once a week since to see how close she is now. At almost 41” it is entirely possible she will make it by next August, although we may have to boost her up with a pair of platforms or something. We did go down the other side that had just been waxed. Needless to say I was holding on to her for dear life as we flew over the bumps. As soon as we landed in a heap at the bottom Annabelle declared “That was fun, let’s do it again”. And we did. A great evening was had by all. Next year we are going to arrange for Cousin Zachary to come with us, he’ll be a little over a year and ready to help Nate instruct the animals on their proper sounds.