We had an awesome time at the fair this year. We did not have an awesome time parking, but once we got in, it was a blast. I didn't pull out the camera much at all, but I've posted plenty of fair pics in the last couple years. You've got the point by now. With only a few hours to play, we zipped through one of those crazy sales buildings and then hit the Texas specialty building. Borden was giving out free quesadilla samples, so I made my family wait in line with me to get some. I think the fair is one of the few places where I'm not too proud to wait in line for a free sample of food. The rarity of anything free at the fair deserves my five minute wait. We then let Tessa pet Bessie the Borden cow before we grabbed some chocolate milk to share. Mmmmm. Chocolate milk.
Upon leaving, we put the kids on one of the benches. I'm not going to pretend to understand Tessa's intensity when the camera comes out these days, so just go with it.
I love the petting zoo! They had a baby zebra, plenty of baby goats, itty bitty piglets, and some calves among the array of animals. I like the ostriches since it's the closest I am ever able to get to one, but they look like if you cross them, they'll waste no time in pecking your eye out. So, I respect the ostrich and only watch as others feed it.
We saw the giraffe, some llamas,.....and then came across these guys. I don't remember seeing the likes of this animal before. Four horns?!? That just doesn't seem fair. They were knocking into and getting caught on the fence and trough. I don't know if you can see how they come out the front and the sides of the sheep/ram. It's probably great for protection, but didn't look great for eating.....or social events.
Cole pulling faces for Dad?
and Cole pulling faces for Dad.
That's it. No more pictures.
But we did get to see a lot more. We went over and spent time in the domestic car show and drooled over the Chevy Traverse. We went to see the ribbon winners in the livestock section of the fair along with some of the horses for the rodeo.
Jake and I decided to go for it this year and each chose a fried food specialty to get and share. The fair only comes once a year, right? That's what I told myself again when I saw what you got for six bucks. Jake chose fried Frito pie, which smelled horrendous but tasted pretty good. Even the kids liked it. I got fried chocolate. We all agreed it was tasty. I think it would have tasted better not fried, but that's completely beside the point.
We then had just enough time to walk through the ribbon winner building (crafts, food, art, photos, shoe theme decorating contest). The butter sculpture was in this building. Football players made out of butter. I imagined myself smearing toast on one of the player's helmets and then munching it down. After quesadillas, chocolate milk, fried Frito pie and chocolate, why not?
On our way out, the night parade was just getting started. The kids got to marvel at the lit floats, and I got to marvel at some of the creepiness of the lit floats.
I love the fair.
Until next year, Big Tex.
Cici's Pizza does pre-K/playgroup tours and pizza making. This may be the best $2.90 I've ever spent. Moms and kids munched down on the pizzas made by the kids, drinks were included, our "tour guide" was super nice, and we were given a cup of tokens for the kids to play in the mini arcade at the end.
I love the petting zoo! They had a baby zebra, plenty of baby goats, itty bitty piglets, and some calves among the array of animals. I like the ostriches since it's the closest I am ever able to get to one, but they look like if you cross them, they'll waste no time in pecking your eye out. So, I respect the ostrich and only watch as others feed it.
Cole pulling faces for Dad?
and Cole pulling faces for Dad.
That's it. No more pictures.
I have no idea why Cole was crying except that he was tired. (I can relate.) Or maybe it's because "pumpkin" is spelled "punkin" on that sign. Yeah, that's probably it. I don't know why I kept snapping pictures except that I must be cruel.
A couple of kids happy to be on a farm...... obviously.
The butterflies at this place were crazy comfortable with people. One tried drinking out of Jake's arm. Gross. When we went to eat our "free" hotdog, it's like they wanted to hang out.
Jake was all but doing a softshoe routine for the whole farm trying to get this kid to smile.
When I tried to take Cole's hat off in the car before we headed back home, he screamed at me. So, I left the thing on. He was asleep within the next five minutes.
They didn't mind.
Isn't it pretty? The water was stagnant, so the creatures we came across were....gross. But beyond that, it was a beautiful morning.
Babies and mamas. You can't even tell my awesome t-shirt design is completely off center. 
I love this picture. Pals. 
One day in September our playgroup went to a firestation for a tour. What a fun activity. I wouldn't want to be a firefighter, but I wouldn't mind kicking back at this station. They have some sweet lounge chairs and a big screen right next to a huge new kitchen.
The firefighters were awesome with the kids. We could tell they were used to a little older crowd. Tessa helped demonstrate the "Stop, drop, and roll" technique having no clue why she was lying on the ground next to the fireman, and she asked the deepest question of the day -- "Where is your dog?" Actually, I think her friend Casey had her beat when he asked how much their clothes cost. Three year olds cut right to the chase.