Williamson County Fair 2013

We took our Circus to the Fair last night. My friend, Lauren, and I call this sort of outing "making memories and shit". It's one of those things that you really want your kids to experience and have photos of to look back on one day, but you know it's going to be a little stressful and that your kids probably won't participate the way you would like for them to. I'm usually the one who pushes for these kinds of activities even though I KNOW how it will probably turn out.

I've been wanting to take the kids to the Fair for years! I always loved going to the fair when I was a kid (National Peanut Festival, anyone? Whoop Whoop! -I *will* take my kids to NPF one year!). I loved the lights, and the games, and the rides, and the FOOD! Every year, we find a reason not to go and once again, it seemed like it wasn't going to happen this year. I wanted to take them during the day on Saturday or Sunday, but it didn't work out and I REALLY couldn't picture taking them on a week night since Etta has officially dropped her nap (trying to prepare for being in the afternoon class this year) and she's usually READY for bed by 7:30/8:00. Then, Suzy texted that she and Amanda were planning to go on Tuesday night and I decided to play it by ear. 

Keith went into work early so he could come home early yesterday. Daniel took a late nap and Etta had a super great, (mostly) well-behaved day. There were some rain clouds hoovering, but the weather man said that the sprinkles would pass and we should be okay. So, I fed the kids dinner at about 4:45 and we left here around 5:30 because the gates opened at 6:00.

The parking was free and kids under 6 were free! We made our way through the gates and we took it all in! 

We wandered around for a while and tried to take the kids through this super cute interactive farmer exhibit thing, but they wanted NOTHING to do with it! I already had a pretty good idea that Etta wouldn't participate, but Daniel got all clingy and upset when we got him out of the wagon. So, they both stayed in the wagon and we just walked them through it (it was a maze and once you went in, you were kind of stuck in there until the end). At the end, we walked through the farm animals. Etta wasn't very interested, but Daniel checked them out (from the safety of his wagon, of course)

When we emerged from the exhibit, we found Suzy and Amanda and Co. Since we knew our kids were just sort of along for the ride and we didn't really have an agenda, we decided to just follow them around and watch their kids ride rides and play games. 

Pippa

Lyla

Blurry hand-hold. Too sweet to not to share.

Another blurry, but Suzy's waving.

(See Keith wiping his brow? He's happy that he made it to the top of that hill. lol.)

Maybe next year, Little D...

This is actually one of my favorite shots from the night. Little man is running toward his momma as fast as his little legs will let him go. :) 

When we came back outside after taking Etta to the potty, she exclaimed, "NIGHT!". You're right, little pea, it IS night!

Also, while we were inside, a teenage girl gave Etta that plush rose sticking out from the bag. It was a really sweet gesture and Etta accepted it with a "thank you" before throwing it onto the ground.

The fair food, surprisingly, DID NOT hit the spot. :(

Though, Daniel was quite happy with his share of the funnel cake (and sweet tea)!

We had a good time making memories and shit, but it was eventually time to head home. Maybe next year my littles will be more willing to participate.