State Fair times two

We were lucky enough to visit the State Fair of Texas twice this year. We went the first time on a Sunday with Aunt Teresa on Oct. 5 and then again on Saturday, Oct. 18 with Teddy, Michael and Carrie. We had a blast both times and were there from about 11am to 7pm both trips. That's a lot of fair! We were exhuasted.

The first thing we did when we got to the fair was get Lea some cotton candy. She and daddy enjoyed big bites of spun sugar. Nothing gets you ready for a day at the fair like pure sugar.

Next on our agenda was Little Hands on the farm. We loved it even more this year than we did last year. I think Aunt Teresa had fun too. I love this attraction, its free and educational and fun. But pretty much we did the same thing we did last year and I went into a lot of detail last year so I'll just say we had fun. We did Little Hands on both visits. Both times daddy waited across the way eating his fried bacon. 

little hands video

Lea got to ride on both a little tractor.

And a full size one at the John Deer tent. When we went back the second time there were signs every where that said "Do not play on tractor" and all the big rigs were locked. I'm glad we got the photo when we had the chance.

Then we headed over to watch the "little stampede" or something. Little kids pretend to ride broncs and rope cows. Its for pretty little kids, we'll have to get more involved next year. This year we had fun watching. Lea was engrossed watching the kiddos.

Like a good little cowgirl.

Then around the corner to the petting zoo. We went early this year so we found one single hungry animal. They sell animal chow at the door, which we chose not to buy because we remembered that the animals are so overfed that they don't want anything to do with eating out of your hand. However, walking around, someone just handed Dan a cup of food as they left so Dan gave it a try. And sure enough, he had the deer eating out of his hand.

It was crowded, but not as crowded as last year. Still by the time we made our way all the way round to the giraffe it looks like Lea had had enough. I love this picture. "Mom please stop taking pictures of me with chocolate and cotton candy all over my mouth." At this point we'd been at the fair less than 2 hours and she'd had a nice cream treat, cotton candy and fried bacon.

Then mommy's favorite part of this year's fair. The Backyard Circus. We'd never even sat through a whole Backyard Circus before and this year Lea participated! She waited patiently.

And then was picked to be a Ballet Butterfly. They practiced.

And got costumes and then had to wait some more. She did pretty good waiting, but one bigger girl helped her stay put. It was all so cute.

In her beautiful Ballet Butterfly costume.

backyard circus video

Aunt Teresa's favorite part was the games. Teresa played the "throw the dart at the balloon game," while Lea played the "pick a duck for a prize" game. I thought they were pirate ducks with an eye patch, but they had sunglasses on.  Poor little blind ducks.

Teresa won a bear and Lea won a duck. Lea calls him "Free Duck." Dan says "Yes, enjoy your $10 free duck, sweetie." I don't think he was that much, but he was far from free. Lea and Teresa had fun playing anyway. 

We took a nice little break at the swans. On both trips, with Teresa and with Michael and Teddy we spent at least 45 minutes at the lagoon by the swans. This was a great place to take a break. We needed a break from walking and Lea enjoyed throwing things in the water. On our second trip this also made an excellent base camp because it was just about a block away from the cheapest beer in the fair... 6 ticket beer! So someone would stay at our table while others would wander off for more beer or a bathroom break (and then more beer) while Lea entertained herself throwing things in the water or picking lily pads out of the water. Apparently uncle Micheal watched her lean over into the water and pick about 12 lily pads out. He said "Well, she had a system." At least this particular system did not include falling in. Michael did add, "If she'd fallen in I would have gotten her out, or told her to stand up, its not that deep." He's a good Uncle S'comfy.

Dan and I reveled in the fact that our daughter could be so engaged at just throwing acorns into the water. So what did we do? turn around and head for the rides.
This was the first time Lea wanted to ride anything. She pointed to this round and round mini roller coaster. At the old county fair or Astroworld this ride was called the Alpine. Here it was called the lady bug.
The music was super loud and it went around fast on a track that went up hill and down hill. I think back in 1978 this was a smooth fast ride. In 2008 it was jerky and bone clattering, even in this little kid version. But we did ok.

Mommy and Lea on Ladybug. Doesn't this face say "We're having fun!"

Daddy had more sense than Mommy and picked a ride appropriate for Lea, and not just the one Lea said she wanted to go on. Daddy found the canoe ride. It was very cute to watch her float around the little path. Her review: "I liked it except when for the up and down part." I think you can hear it on the video. So I guess she just liked going in a circle in the canoe.

On the Canoe ride.


On our second trip Lea and Mommy rode a much better ride. We rode the bear. Like the teacups at Disney World there was a wheel in the middle to control how much you spin. Mommy likes to spin! Two ladies and a little girl got in with us. I thought one of the ladies was going to throw up, but she was sitting next to the outside so it was ok. Actually her friend spun us faster than I did. Lea seemed to like it. Hooray having someone to ride roundy round rides with. Both Dan and my mom hate them and Sherry has moved away, so I need someone who will tilt-a-whirl with me. Now I have Lea.

And that about wrapped up our first trip. Even after 8 hours of the fair Daddy and Aunt Teresa had the energy to dance with Lea.






The second trip was more of the same, as I've said. It was very fun to go with Carrie, Micheal and Teddy. They were very helpful watching Lea. They would hold Lea's hand and keep an eye on her. It was very cute. I think this picture said it all.
Teddy and Lea

Michael was awesome at the car show. Lea wanted to get in every single car, so I told her if Michael stopped to look at a car we could get in. Well when he learned he was in control of what cars Lea got to play in, he stopped and looked at almost all of them. He indulged her left and right. We must have crawled in and played in 30 different cars. And to be honest I'm not entirley sure which had more fun playing in the cars, Michael or Lea.

So like I said our second trip was more of the same, but with beer. The impetus to take a second trip to the fair was the Harvey Martin Classic. You see, the university formerly known as East Texas State was playing at the Cotton Bowl. I said I'd go to the football game if it was free... well it wasn't free, it was like $20 and to be honest, I'm not sure I would have gone even if it had been free. Our day got pretty busy. But it did lead to the best photo ever. Here is Michael outside the Creative Arts Building that back up to the Cotton Bowl. Dan pointed out the irony of these signs and Michael did his best to imitate having had too much 6 ticket beer (at this point I don't think he'd had even one).

So we had a great time at the fair both trip. Can't wait for next year.