County Fair

Last weekend was the County Fair, and it's free on Sundays, so I thought I'd take Jack over to check it out.

He was very amused by the mass of colors and swirling lights. It's such a sensory experience, even for me, so I can't imagine what wonders it must hold for him. He would have been happy just to cruise around in the stroller watching the big rides.

But he was also very happy to play carnie games. He got to pick a duck to win a prize! We walked up and I had my $2 out to hand the guy and the following conversation took place:

Me: "Hi! We'll take one duck, please." (hands him $2)
Carney Guy: "You get 3 for $5."
Me: (thinking "I can read.") "Oh, that's okay, one will be plenty."
Carney Guy: "If you buy three, you automatically get a large prize."
Me: "Yeah, but then I have to carry it around."
Carney Guy: "You can come back for it later."
Me: "Yes, BUT THEN I'D HAVE TO TAKE IT HOME AND DEAL WITH IT THERE! WE'LL TAKE JUST 1!!!"

Seriously, is there ANYWHERE they don't up-sell you? Not to mention the fact that, as my friend Court put it so well, that "stuffed animals are the bane of a mother's existence." No, thanks very much.

And don't you know after all that, he loved getting the duck, and further loved choosing his very small prize, a blue and yellow gator that he is STILL carrying everywhere with him?

After the duck game, we went over to ride the ponies, which Jack enjoyed, but not overly. He was far more concerned with the tractors that were on display nearby. (Plus, seriously, how much fun can it really be walking in that tiny circle? It's like NASCAR, but on ponies.)
After a long self-debate, I opted to go the wristband route with Jack. This is the kid who will rob me of every single quarter in my purse to ride the trucks and cars and animals in the mall food court, so I figured, if I buy a few tickets, I'll run out, and then there'll be trouble, so I'll just drop the twenty on the wristband and not have to worry with it!
WRONG.

About halfway through the FIRST ride, this is what I'm looking at.

A screaming child.
I literally (yes, I really did.) forced him to ride the second ride, and then he plainly refused the most kiddy ride of all, the little pig train, so we high tailed it out of there, $28 poorer.

When we got into the car, he looked at me and said "Ride train?". Not kidding. He wanted me to take him to the train ride in the park.

Clearly, that wasn't an option at that point. All the screamer got was a ride home.

Seriously though, it was really fun to watch him in the hour before the riding mishaps. He is still just so awesome to me, and to watch him take all of it in is really, really neat. It's just all so wondrous, and he loves it, and I love that I'm able to witness it.

We'll be back next year, County Fair! (even if we don't ride!)