K! So the school year has started, blah, blah, blah......I probably should post the pics I took, but I'll get to that later. The fair was last week and like a totally sane person, I decided to take them all by my self. Yeah for insanity!
This is how it went. We came through the gate closest to the animals. This of course took an hour because Laylie had to swoon over everyone there was. She was petrified of the Clydesdale's though. From afar they were cool. but an offer to pet them on the nose resulted in a wide terror filled look and and the beginning of watery eyes. We did happen to pass by a miniature pony though (a baby horse in her eyes of course). She went straight up to one and wrapped her arms around it's belly while rubbing her face all over him. The kids tents with their interactive displays and hands on stuff was perfect. They especially loved the funny distorted mirrors. We went on some rides and I took some great pictures of the kids with Maddie's camera. I'd post those too, but Maddie managed to accidentally erase all of the photo's she had on there.We did end up with one though at the very end with Laylie curled up in the bottom of the stroller. You know the bottom compartment usually reserved for you diaper bag, or other items.
Now the reason for her I will sleep anywhere skill is because of her behavior almost the entire time. We were there for about five hours. Have you ever seen a first time *leasher*? I know that's not a word, but you know what I mean.....the first experience you have with your dog when you try a leash. They realize they are confined and they flip, contort, writhe, lay on the ground, sit down, pull backwards fight, shake their head, and end up with the leash wrapped around them selves in almost impossible ways. Your thinking, if you just held still, it's not that bad. That was her.
We tried a little backpack with the "leash" attached, which, by the way saved my bacon. I tried making a super big deal about how she was going to get to wear her very own backpack. It was a cute bear. She was all excited until she realized it was a straight jacked for children. (Oh and by the way, we saw another mom with the very same one, only her child was behaving.) She looked at mine and I looked at hers and a brief, I FEEL YOUR PAIN nod was exchanged as we passed each other in the trenches.
My arms ached from carrying her so much. My feet were tired. The other kids were tired, but were happy. I got cotton candy mashed all over my shirt, hair and neck. My make-up and that "Yes, I've got it together" look were long gone. I think I pulled a neck muscle and my brain was sprained from constantly counting to five. My number six was safe in his stroller. BUT, will I do it all over again next year and for consecutive years to come? Heck Yes I Will! Because, my kids come away from it having had fun, and memorable family experiences. Here's to hoping Tori gets to come next year though.
