We went to the fair last weekend and had a fairly good time. My parents were even in town to go with us. This was our 5th anniversary of going to the Minnesota State Fair. I dunno, I think we should have qualified for a free hotdog or something.

I was really excited to take Kaelem to the fair this year. I thought he would love it and be talking about animals, rides, and junk food for days afterwards.  Turns out, Kaelem did like parts of it ok, but it was just an overwhelming experience for him at 2 years, in the heat, stuck in a stroller, with a sea of legs for a view. There were people everywhere! And of all days to not take a nap, he picked this day. I don’t think he’d ever gone a day in his life without a nap before. Anyway, in spite of minor crankiness, he did have a few smiles when:

• Going down the giant slide.
• Touring Little Farm Hands (a kiddie area where he could grow a pretend garden, feed pretend chickens, and milk a pretend cow)
• Petting the goats.
• Riding the merry-go-round.
• Eating Sweet Martha Cookies
• Watching the horse show.

In general, I’m finding out that anytime I have my own agenda, such as having Kaelem fall asleep in the stroller while we tour the art building at the fair, or arrange Quincy’s feeding times to my benefit, or take a shower, exercise, or update this post…I end up frustrated and stressed because inevitably, that plan fails. However, if I give up my own plans and needs and make sure the kiddos have what they need, I still don’t get neccessarily what I want all the time, but at least have less of an internal selfishness struggle to work through. I guess I’m still adjusting to life as a mom, even after two years.

Related posts:

1. Minnesota State Fair 2008
2. Our Weekend. Part 1: State Fair
3. Fair Words, Part 1: Kaelem
4. Home Again, Home Again, Jiggety Jig
5. Children's Museum