North Carolina State Fair

Our neighbors invited us to go to the fair after church yesterday. We thought it would be fun to go with them since Ella and Jack are friends with their daughter Madaline. However, yesterday was not the best time for us. I was exhausted from taking care of Eric and the kids and Eric, well, he was still walking around like a cowboy from an old western movie. I swear you could fit a beach ball between his knees. For those who don't know, Eric went for his repeat vasectomy this past Friday. We went anyway. What were we thinking??? I think having kids totally messes with your brain's ability to reason. We run home after church to change clothes and grab a bite for lunch and then....off to the FAIR! When we get off the interstate I can tell it will be awhile before we get to the fair or anywhere for that matter. We finally arrive at a parking lot. People and cars are everywhere and seem to be coming from every direction. I thought it might be slow on this Sunday afternoon. Wishful thinking. They expect a million or more fair goers this year. Finally, tickets in hand and we are in. We make a b-line for the food. That was more difficult than you think since it was in every direction. My pregnant mommy nose sniffs out the first thing on our food list.... COTTON CANDY. As i am standing in line waiting to fulfill my children's desire for this cottony, sugary goodness i am bombarded by the aroma of roasted corn, smoked turkey legs, Polish sausage, Italian sausage, hot dogs, shoestring fries, carmel and candy apples, pizza, funnel cakes, elephant ears, ice cream, lemons from the fresh lemonade, corn dogs, fried pickles and every other fried food imaginable (even candy bars and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches). Warm sunlight and a cool breeze hit my face. I take in all the smells and think......this is a pregnant woman's heaven! We hit a few of the food joints and then head to the farm animals. Honey and bee exhibits, cows and their calves (even a grey cow), horses, goats, lambs, turkeys and pigs. The aroma wasn't near as pleasant. On to the next thing. We walk out of the building and there are people, games, lights, rides and food in every direction. It seems endless. Glad i brought a stroller. We find a ride. The kids are willing to go since Madaline and Elijah are going. We wait in line.... and we wait.....and wait. Finally. Ella heads up to the top of the slide. There she is at the top, she sits on the bag and down she comes. A moment of terror on her face but then exclaims "it was way fun". Good, one down. Jack's turn. Okay...go...wait....NO, NO, NO. Eric get off! Before he heeds my warning he comes down the slide with Jack. I can't help but think of the impact when he slides off the end. They made it. All enjoyed it. Even Eric. Next, a farmer's exhibit. Right up Jack's alley. We begin to walk through and look at all the plants, the basics, cabbage, corn, tobacco, soybeans, cotton, and more. Even a chicken coop. The kids got baskets to "pick" their crops and even sold them at the farmer's market. Off to another ride. A train! They even got the coveted engine seats! More walking and two Tylenol for Eric. A fun house and a few of my desperate attempts at ringing the rigged basketball goal later we find some more food and call it a day. Eric and i find the walk back to the car far longer than it was on the way in. Ella and Jack are in a single stroller snuggled together and fighting sleep. We get home at almost 7 and have some dinner. Yes, i ate dinner even after all the fair food. The kids are exhausted and still full of excitement from the day. Even Eric and i are giddy about the day we had. I guess you can never be too old for the fair. :) Today, we hurt. Not too bad but enough to remind us that we might not be to old for the fair but we are still old. :)