A Very Lot of Fun
Our library has a little corner near the circulation desk where they sell gently used books for fifty cents to a dollar. We recently picked up Donald Crews’ book Night at the Fair and have read it so much that I practically have the whole thing committed to memory. Our favorite page is the one that says the best ride of all is the giant ferris wheel. Every time we read the book, Tiny and Buba comment that they will ride the giant ferris wheel when they get big.
So it was a huge surprise and created a ton of excitement when we spied a giant ferris wheel in the movie theater parking lot, just off the highway, as we were driving to a friend’s house on Thursday. I did a little research and learned that the fair would be in town through Sunday. We had no real plans for the weekend, so it was pretty much a given- we had to go.
Of course, the kids were so excited when I told them we were going. They knew that they would not be tall enough to ride the ferris wheel, but were still really excited just to see it in person and to watch other people ride it. Tiny wanted to watch me ride it, but I told her I would wait until she grew big enough to ride it with me. Instead, we rode the carousel (twice), a boat ride that went back and forth and around and around, a small dragon roller coaster, and the crazy school bus ride that goes up and down in a circular motion (sort of like a ferris wheel, but much smaller). Buba and Tiny were tall enough to go on the train ride (a ride where no adults were allowed), and they also enjoyed jumping and sliding in the bouncy house. T and I each played a game of skee-ball (we won nothing), and the kids played the pick a duck game and each won some bubbles in a ducky shaped container. We decided to end our fair experience by sharing a piece of fried dough covered with powdered sugar and cinnamon. Mmmmmmmm.
Once the tickets were gone and our bellies were full, Buba and Tiny had no issues with leaving. Tiny announced, once again, that eating the fried dough was her favorite part of the fair, but she also enjoyed seeing the ferris wheel and riding the boat ride. When asked what he liked best, Buba replied, “I had a VERY LOT of FUN!” Too much fun to pick out just one thing, I suppose.
I was thinking about Tiny and her “fried dough” just recently…for some reason, that stuck in my mind from your fair (?) experience last year. That’s just too cute. 
And how fantastic that your guys were content to do what they could (i.e. not ride the ferris wheel), and were content at the end of the adventure to leave. Our girls are getting better about that – if I make a concerted effort to manage their expectations – but we still have a few fits of tears from time to time when we go to leave a fun activity.
So glad you all enjoyed yourselves!!!
Sounds like a lot of fun. There’s a carnival that sets up near us every summer. So far we’ve been too busy to check it out, but maybe this year!
That sounds like a ball! I can’t wait to take Molly and Luke to something like that! Such bids kids understanding why they couldn’t ride the ferris wheel! Glad you had this fun family time! Happy Sunday!