Arizona State Fair

Last month I decided to take my kids to the Arizona State Fair.  I almost didn't, but in the end was soo glad that we went.  I had worked the night before (Tuesday), and by the time 3pm rolled around I felt like I was going to die from being so tired.  I have several of those days each week, where I literally watch that darn clock like a hawk until 7pm rolls around and I can tuck kids in bed for the night and fall asleep on the couch, bed, floor, pretty much wherever I see first.  That day was no exception and I had already been plotting ways to get them to go to bed even earlier than normal. Then my sweet Mother in Law called and invited me to come to the State Fair that evening for "Free admission and $1 rides Wednesday."  I have to admit that when she suggested this, I immediately wanted to just say no.  But then as always guilt got the best of me.  I began to think about how EVERY single year we talk about taking the kids to the fair, and EVERY single year we never end up going.  I knew that if we didn't go that day we would probably end up missing out once again.  So I pulled on my big girl panties (as my dear friend at work used to say) and got us all ready to go.  We picked up Miss M from school and off we went :)

We carpooled with my In-Laws and made it to the fair by about 5:30pm for a night of fun!  I have to admit that it was a little white trash around those parts, but that's what you get going to the state fair right?!  The first thing Maddie pointed out and was insistent that she ride on was the Ferris Wheel. Robby was rooting for the choo choo train.  The only one not super excited for rides was Mr E and he was instead perfectly content to either hang in the stroller or be held by Papa.   All in all, we rode way too many rides to count, were rained on during our yummy Bean and Cheese Indian Fry Bread dinner, didn't hear any complaints about not buying any extra treats or toys, visited the petting zoo, met up with Aunt Abby and her cute friends, and overall had a fabulous night out!  Thank heavens my Father-in-law drove us home afterwards....I think I may have even drooled while dozing off in the car on the way back home :)

I hope she never forgets what I've told her: Size does not determine age

{it cracks me up seeing just how much taller Robby is than Maddie now}

**just don't point it out to Miss M**

funny/sad story:  One of the rides they had was this bouncing machine where you sit in a seat and the ride starts up high and then rapidly drops you downward.  Maddie rode a ride similar to this a couple of years ago at Amazing Jakes and wanted to ride it again at the state fair.  Apparently there is a different height requirement though so Miss M was not quite tall enough to go on it.  So who went on it instead? Why the three year old of course.  Maddie was so sad that her younger brother was taller than her, and thus could go on the ride.  She told the man "but I'm the older sister in the family."  I felt so bad for her and could totally empathize about being the small one.  I remember being told I wasn't tall enough for certain rides when I was growing up as well :(

Mr E in his seat

Robby and Nona rode in the bucket in front of Maddie and I on the Ferris Wheel.  Nona said he was so scared that he put his head down on the safety handle bar and closed his eyes.  What did Maddie do?  Why she screamed with joy and was busy pointing out all the things she could see from "so high away"

{Miss M on the Ferris Wheel}

They even had this cute little roller coaster. Once again Robby was so scared that he was almost crying by the end of the ride.  With Robby being so big/tall we seem to forget that he is only three years old and apparently took him on way too many rides he wasn't quite ready for emotionally...

Miss M liked strolling down all the rows of horses/pigs, etc

The one of my/our favorite parts about the petting zoo was the adorable kangaroo in the pouch as in the picture above: cute, cute, cute!  Eli also loved the ducks and kept saying "Momma, quack quack?!"

Eli is especially attached to his Papa right now and always wants to be held by him.  Whenever we go over to my in-laws the first thing Eli does is wander around their house yelling "Papa, R U?"

This ride Maddie was in, actually looked like a ton of fun.  It bounced each car up and down as they went in a circle.  Nona was soo worried that the kids would fall out of the cars.  As you can see, Maddie thoroughly enjoyed it.

Robby and Maddie on the train.  This is one of the few rides that Eli was super bummed to not be quite tall enough to ride.  I had to take him on a stroller walk away for awhile, because he was so upset. 

Our very last ride of the night were these cute little tug boats.  Afterwards, Maddie and Robby both announced that they were there "favorites".  What you don't see in these pictures, is the kid that was manning the booth by wading waist deep in water making sure none of the children tipped over.

Yeah for the State Fair; we promise to come back again!!