State Fair

We have a little tradition of driving up to Dallas every October to stay with our good friends, The Browns, and enjoy the Texas State Fair along with Joy and her kids. It's so much fun, and I look forward to it every year. This was our third year to take the kids. We added little Henry to our group this year, so I can only imagine the mayhem and money spent here in a couple years when everyone will be wanting to ride, play and eat. Will was less than thrilled to be spending the majority of his fair visit in the stroller, and he voiced his opinion on the matter every now and then. He did taste freedom at times though much to the stress of his mother.

The kids fed the animals in the petting zoo, and that was one place where I let Will roam free. The place was packed and he of course refused to let me hold him or hold his hand while he walked. Thankfully, it was a fairly quick spin through there.

After the animals we stopped for lunch, and both my kids enjoyed some corny dog. So delicious.

By then the rides had opened, and the kids were dying to get on one of them. They stood staring through the gate while they waited for the ride to finish so they could get on.

They started with the motorcycles.

Then moved on to the race cars.

And the bumper cars. Ava was a tad under the height requirement to ride by herself so Joy got to get in there and bump around with the kids!

The kids played some of the games this year too, which was a first. Most popular was the hit a balloon with a dart game. We happened upon a very animated fair employee that did a good job getting the kids excited and applauding their throws. We came home with a big, blue stuffed elephant & a sword for Matthew and a little stuffed red puppy for Will.

Will got to participate in the duck game. He kept grabbing more though. And shoving his arm as far as it would go into the water.

The babies confined to their strollers. I wasn't sure how Will would do going in and out of a stroller all day, but he did really well.

For his fair treat Matt selected a caramel apple. Also at our table being consumed were fried oreos and a fried snickers. All tasty treats!

We gathered our tickets for one last ride...Ava chose the race cars again, and Josh & Matt really wanted to do the huge, tall, wavy slide. I got to ride down with him and it was awesome!! Bumpy and super fast. He loved it. He also loved reading all the rules written on the steps as we climbed up.

Will had thrown a fit that he couldn't go on the slide with us and was chained to the stroller. By the time we got back down he was nearly asleep. He slept until we got to the car and then took a big nap once we got back to Alison's house. Josh & Matt took big naps that afternoon too. It was a gorgeous day, and we had a big time. Every year they can do more and more. Seeing the joy on their faces I swear is like Christmas morning. They love it. Matt's saying his favorite was the race car ride. More on our Dallas visit soon!