A Day At The Fair

Yesterday was a day when I was reminded of one of the reasons that I love homeschooling my kids.   Mid-morning I made a last minute decision to take the kids to the State Fair... homework was almost done, it was a beautiful day, it was bring-3-cans-of-food-and-get-in-for-a-dollar-day, guitar lessons were canceled, Corey was going to be gone in the evening... everything just fell into place, and we made a mad dash to Fair Park around noon. I love it when we have spontaneous days. I told my sister that it makes me feel young and fun... or crazy... or sometimes a little of both! Yesterday, it was good. Very good.

We have gone to the state fair almost every year since the kids have been toddlers, and those of you that also go regularly know that many of the shows and exhibits are exactly the same every year... we still do them each year, and there is something nostalgic about the same jokes being told and the same tricks being done from year to year. This year, though, we did happen upon a few things that we had never done before, and it was so fun to experience things that we had not experienced before. For the first time ever, the boys did the Pee-Wee Stampede rodeo and the Backyard Circus (which were both fabulous!), we watched The Domino Man build then knock down thousands of dominos, and we stayed for the parade (which we all enjoyed!). We have never stayed late before... and besides the walk through the parking lot after dark, it was really great.  (I discovered that I'm brave... but not that brave!)

~ the boys watching the dog show ~

Cooper was scared of the loud noises, and Jack was comforting him.

This is quite possibly my favorite picture of the year.

~ the petting zoo ~

Both boys actually got bitten by ostriches!  

This picture was snapped just before Cooper fingers were.

The little piglets were so cute. 

(The record holding 1,200 lb. pig... not so much!)

This was my favorite thing of the day, I think... the Pee Wee Stampede.

The kids put on a pretend rodeo with pretend rodeo events and everything.

~ Cowboy Coop waiting for his event ~

Jack won his event!

(He even got a real trophy.)

~ tippin' his hat to mom ~

(I could eat him up!)

Little Hands On The Farm is a favorite exhibit of ours.  

The little ones pretend their way through a farm - planting, harvesting, selling their goods, then buying a real snack with the fake money that they earned.  It is always fun!

~ Cooper taking care of a peach tree ~

The sand exhibit was impressive.

We also watched a show, Sergio, that was held near this.

Next was the World On A String marionette show.

Jack volunteered to be on stage and was chosen for the Wizard of Oz act.

~ Allie & Jack with Big Tex ~

Jack was chosen to be the Lion Tamer in the Backyard Circus.

~ Cooper being a circus tiger ~

~ The Parade ~

Staying for the parade was a first for us, and we will definitely do it again.

~ my babies watching the parade ~

So, we tumbled into our house about 9:00 last night with really dirty feet & tired bodies and a little homework to wrap up, but it was so worth it to spend the day together at the fair!  I love my kiddos!