We make it a point to travel back to my home town each year for the state fair. The kids get visit with my parents, enjoy some serious junk food, and wear their little bodies out while having way too much fun – sleepy children are happy children, didn’t you know?
Now that both kids are a little bit older they’re more excited about going on rides – which means that I get to be excited about going on the rides with them! Funny story about rides…
I asked both kids if they wanted to go on a 3-story roller coaster with me. They both agreed. Both of them sat up front together and I sat behind them. Keep in mind this wasn’t your normal baby roller coaster that goes around in circles a few time then you’re done. Oh no! This sucker was pretty sizable. There were peaks, valleys, and sharp turns that caused your body to do all sorts of fun things. Whether you were being jerked from sided to side, your behind was being lifted up in the air when you went down a steep drop…thank you Jesus for safety bars, or, you lost your voice from screaming so much…you knew you were in for an eventful ride.
While we waited in line both kids were totally fine and excited to ride. Once they both were fastened into the little bucket seats I could tell that they were both getting a little worried. Apparently my reassurances to them about how everything would be okay didn’t matter much in the moment. The second the little car made it’s way to the edge of the first steep drop, Addison screamed at the top of her lungs, “I’m dyyyiiiiiiiiiiinnnnnng!!!” She may never recall that moment again, but, I still laugh so hard I cry when I tell the story.
Okay…enough with the stories. I truly do love everything about the fair. The smells, the rides, the petting zoos, face painting, zip lining, and the food…oh the food! I even love the cheesy toys you can win by playing games…even if it means I have to figure out a creative way to explain to the kids that their beloved paper filled toys have magically disappeared. I love all of the memories created. I still remember going as a kid and how excited I was.
As much as I enjoyed carnivals and the fair growing up, living the wonder with my family and experiencing the fun through their eyes, definitely has it beat.
Only 362 days until the next fair experience. But, who’s counting?