State Fair!

Several weeks back, Kevin was planning on being out of town on a camping trip. However, on Friday he was not feeling well from his shot the night before and decided to forgo the camping trip. This left us with a wide-open weekend, which is rare. We decided to be spontaneous, which if you know us is also rare as we are both planners. Saturday we headed to Raleigh for a night away. It was a fun adventure for all of us, especially Anna. It was her first time in a hotel where she had any recollection of the event. The questions began flying as we tried to explain where we would stay and what we would do. Our main purpose in going to Raleigh was to go to the State Fair or as Anna first called it, "Earth Fare" as that is the only "fare" she has ever come in contact with. Hotel highlights for Anna: being in a big girl bed right beside mommy and daddy's bed, eating breakfast in the hotel with everything you can imagine, riding the "alligator" (elevator) up and down and up and down, and of course going swimming Saturday night in the indoor pool with daddy. Sadly, I didn't take my camera out much, but I did snap this picture of Anna at the fair on Sunday. We walked and walked and walked Sunday. Our kids did much better than anticipated, especially Aiden. We placed him in the stroller when we arrived at the fair and did not take him out until we were back at the car, ready to head home. We were afraid if we took him out, our now on the move boy, would not want to be strapped back in. Both our children loved the sites of the fair-the people, the animals, and the exhibitions. Anna was able to pick one ride to go on as there was so much else to do that was completely free. She chose the cars, which is pictured above. She had never been on a ride before and I of course thought she might be a little nervous. Thus, as any good mother would do, I waved and said her name as she passed by us each time. Later that evening we were at home talking about our favorite parts of the fair. Anna's response when asked about riding on the car was...."Next time I don't want mommy to wave and say, 'hey.' None of the other mommies were saying hey and waving." What?! I have already embarrassed my child. I am sure it will not be the last time and she is only three. And here I thought she was nervous, but instead she was scoping out the other parents and seeing that no one else was waving and yelling their child's name.