A Fair to Remember

The fair is a big deal here. Like a shut-down-the-schools-and-Erin's-favorite-ice-cream-place kind of a big deal. I am an import so according to some, I can't fully grasp how awesome the fair is. But I married a local and my babies are locals, so does that count towards fully grasping it? Even if it is by association? I think so :)

The fair is always the same. It is very consistent in how the booths are set up, where the animals are kept, even where the food vendors are located. I think that is one reason we like to go to it because it is very familiar. And to see all the friendly faces too since we both grew up here and Mike is related to just about everybody. Also there are ribbon fries. And chocolate milkshakes.

We always try to go one day with our good friends and their kids. This year was no exception. It is fun to see the fair through the kids' eyes! Grayson tried to crawl out of his stroller when he saw the bungee jumping/trampoline thing propelling people in the air. He wanted to go on it so badly!

Also this kid? Rode a pony three times. THREE TIMES. The last time he didn't even want Mike to hold on to him because he had suddenly turned into a little cowboy. So proud! :)


We always have a great time at the fair

But this year, the fair was really special.

Like never-going-to-forget-it kind of special.

My brother, his wife and their two littles made a two day drive to surprise my dad and mom at the fair. I was so excited to be a part of their scheme and also so proud of myself for not spilling the beans!

My parents always work the last shift of a particular booth on Saturday night of the fair. Been that way for years. So I knew where they were going to be and the endless stream of people would be walking past them. We thought it would be perfect to meet up with Robbie, Tracy and kids and then just slowly meander past the booth like we were - you know - normal fair-goers.

We did exactly that. Mike, me and the babies in front. My mom made eye contact with me and then looked at Grayson and said, "He looks so tired." I couldn't stop grinning like a fool. Then a moment later she looked behind us and saw Robbie and Tracy and kids. It is not an exaggeration to say she and my dad flipped out. Tears were shed. Hugs were given. Grandkids they hadn't seen in some time cuddled. I really wish I had thought to capture the whole thing on my phone.

It was one of the best days. We loved spending the next week with Robbie, Tracy and kids. We miss them so much and are so thankful they visited!




Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

43 and worried

I turned 43 yesterday.  A few weeks ago, I had to get my license renewed. I was feeling okay until I pulled out my old license and went to hold it up against my new license image. Mike caught me doing this, and he said, "NO! Don't do it, Erin!" which made us both laugh until I looked down and was shocked by the contrast. Four years ago, 20 pounds lighter (at least), smiling, hair perfectly done (or as well as I could do hair which isn't ever that great), I looked at least my age. Mike once remarked that of all the many license pictures he sees, mine was a really great picture. (But I know four years ago, life was no easier than it is now - in some ways it was harder.) But then the current picture. No life in the eyes or maybe just a lot of sadness, an abundance of wrinkles, hair that was out of place, and attempt at a half-hearted smile and a few additional chins. Haggard is the word that came to mind. Stress has not been kind to my appearance. I mentioned this to my ...
Read more

He's he-ere!

Image
Introducing... Grayson Michael Born 11/25/12 at 3:02 am Grayson entered the world via emergency c-section. Mike got to step into the role of Daddy immediately and went with the baby while I was in the recovery room. They got to spend some time bonding in the nursery. Grayson is such a joy! He and his daddy hit it off immediately. There is nothing more attractive than watching your husband turn into a daddy. Be still my heart. We were in the hospital for SO many days...I could not wait to get home. I missed my bed. Which funny enough, I haven't gotten to sleep in since that first night home. Taking the steps more than once a day is just too difficult right now. So for now, we have been crashing on the couch. Unfortunately Gray had problems with jaundice, and he had light therapy with a bili blanket. Mike told people his son was rocking a low profile LED light bar - just like a police cruiser ;)  I love his little frowny face :) ...
Read more

Ready for the next season...

Image
Usually I love spring. But this year is a different story. Spring has been mostly gray, cold and dreary - and with it, it has brought a great deal of heartache. With the uptick in aggressive behaviors from Grayson (thanks a lot, puberty) and the realization that we are now a year into being provider-less, to being told that Gray was too severe for one provider company, to having to research and call around to group homes to see if they are a good fit for Gray,  to Grayson's constant elopement attempts, to realizing that Grayson goes to therapy and comes home...he has very little to do for fun and he has no one outside of the family or his dedicated therapists to invest in him.  To make matters worse, right now Grayson gets very upset - to the point of property-damaging, when either Mike or I leave the house without him. His team is going to work on that, but it has been very limiting what we can do. The walks I used to take that I enjoyed so much to clear my head are in the pa...
Read more