Let me first start off by saying that Jerry took the ENTIRE day off today. This is something that he hasn't done in almost two months, including weekends, but alas. Today he was with us all day and it was fabulous!!
So we got up (no need for alarms when the kids are up before God), got into the car, and got to the fair grounds at about 8:45 this morning. 
After the animals and some circumnavigation through the agriculture tent, we were on to the rides. Let me preface this part by saying, I am not a big fan of rides that spin. The merry-go-round is about the speed I am okay with and even that makes me a little queasy. I'm a total wuss with the spinning, always have been, always will be. You want to torture me, spin me around really fast... just saying. So on we go. The first ride we came to was spinning balloons that went up and down and around and then you could spin each individual balloon. Thankfully Elijah had no real interest in that. He did however, see some helicopters and thought those we be fun. So off we went. These were okay. Grace and Elijah and I went into one and it just went up and around... rather slowly, so I was all good.
After Pilot Elijah landed us safely, we headed over to a bird trying to catch the caterpillar ride. We went on this one last year. And it is a very simple, circular roller coaster. In truth, Grace was probably a little too small for the ride, because the bar didn't come near her, but it was all good.
Next was a familiar sight: the merry-go-round. When we go to the mall, we usually take the kiddos on the merry-go-round as a treat. Both kiddos loved this one as well.
For the next ride, there are no pictures. I wish there were no memory... alas. We could see that things were starting to pick up. Some preschools were starting to arrive, so we decided to head on over to the other side of the grounds. We came to a ride that I looked at and thought, "hmm, that looks like it spins. But surely it doesn't go too fast, these rides are for the little guys." What the hell was I thinking? I asked if Grace could go on the ride and the ride attendant laughed and said, "Ha! This ride isn't for the little kids." hmmm...red flags should have been BLAZING in my head. I later learned that Jerry almost came and pulled me off and also that the guys slowed the ride down for this day. Alas... I got on and as soon as it started, I wanted off... so did Elijah. I kept my eyes closed the whole time. I'm sure that this freaked Elijah out, but probably not as much as if I had kept my eyes opened and thrown up. He kept saying, "Mommy, I want it to stop." And I kept saying, "Me too buddy. Just shut your eyes it will be over soon." I did not appreciate the attendant laughing as I got off and ran behind the nearest building and threw up. Jerk. Sigh. Luckily, Elijah was fine. Jerry was awesome enough to go on several rides with him while I recovered. Starting with the tug boat ride!
I could barely watch this ride and am SOOO grateful that Jerry was there. I think I would have had to leave... though I wouldn't have gone on that ride if I had been by myself since Grace couldn't go on... so ya know. Nevertheless, Jerry was great. Elijah liked this one. I do have to say, that if I ever saw a tug boat doing this, I would be very worried! Jerry and Elijah continued over to the fire engine ride that went up and down and I could not even stand up to take a picture of them on it. But, again, they had fun. From the fire engine we went onto the Jalopy Car Ride. Jerry took both kids this time. Allowing Elijah to take the wheel, he rode in the back seat with Grace.
After riding the cars, Jerry and Elijah hit the Bird Chasing Caterpillar ride while Grace and I procured our snack and a sunny spot to eat and drink. I was starting to feel a little better and the food helped a bit. (Honestly writing all this, I am still feeling a little queasy.)
After snack, we headed back toward the merry-go-round and the helicopters. I was starting to feel up to the rides again, so I went on both. Though this time around on the helicopters, Elijah found that if you pulled a certain lever you could make the helicopter spin around. What the hell is wrong with these people and all the spinning rides!?!?!?!?!?!?!?! Anyway, I nipped that in the bud and he stopped immediately (for which I am very grateful!) Elijah noticed that there was a new ride up and running. Sigh... The Dizzy Dragons... Jerry was up. These were really cute but I'm glad I was on the side lines.
They lucked out getting in the one with a grandma and little girl. The little girl you can see in the first picture REALLY wanted to spin fast. As it was, the spun nice and slowly. Jerry said that Elijah wanted to spin more, but was to shy to ask the little girl next to him... alas. Elijah wanted to ride another ride, and we heard that they had opened the bummer cars, so we headed over.
On the way Grace spotted Sparky, the Fire Dog. This child is crazy about dogs and wanted very much to see what was going on. However, the closer Jerry got to the 6 foot dog, the more Grace got scared. She would point to it and want to get closer and as soon as Jerry moved, she freaked out. Finally we were able to pull her away from the one step forward, two steps back dance and move on to our destination.
I haven't been on bummer cars in a really long time, but I was excited and so was Elijah. It turned out to be his favorite thing at the fair and he was content to leave after. Grace ended up being too small, so she and Jerry watched from the sidelines, but we waved a lot!!!
As we were leaving a fireman was handing out fire hats... like we need more to add to our collection, but alas... so with fire hats in hand we gave one more look to the animals.
On our way in there were lots of tractors and whatnot for kids to climb on. Last year Elijah could not get enough of them. This year he could have cared less... but on our way out, it was time to climb a bit.
On our way out, they handed us coupons for free kids' meals a Chic-Fil-A, so off we went for some lunch. Then nap (however short or nonexistent) which turned into everyone piling on the big bed watching Loony Tunes, which was rather perfect anyway. Jerry took Grace to a quick doctor's appointment to check her iron levels (which were normal...YAY!!) In the meantime, I ran a quick errand while Elijah slept in the back seat (go figure!) Then Target and a yummy dinner at Incredible Pizza. yum-o!!! The kids went to bed without a fight tonight and Jerry has played a video game and relaxed a bit. I'm glad in all the craziness he was able to take today off! I think we all needed it and it made for a FANTASTIC day!!!!!
