so long at the fair

On Sunday, equipped with three free tickets and a kid under three (also free), we headed off to the State Fair of Texas.  We got there right as the gates opened, and enjoyed the fact that, although there were many people there, we weren't bumper to bumper the whole time.  With two kids, we discovered that Sunday late morning/afternoon is the time to go.

This pic is dark, but we had to take one with Big Tex.  Sara was glad to see that he was back (and better than ever) after he burned down a couple years ago.  

 One thing I love about the fair is all the free activities for kids (and adults: can you say people-watching?!).  The girls decorated pumpkins, watched a magic show, looked at artwork and fountains, and fed animals.  Of course we spent plenty of cash on other attractions, like the merry-go-round, which is always a must.

 Steve and Sara went up in this giant stratosphere-type thing where they could see for miles and miles.  Sara said it was pretty cool.  While that was happening, Emma and I watched a surf show - also cool.

 We were well-behaved when it came to food.  We passed up most of the fried goodness, but of course had to indulge in Fletcher's corny dogs.  They were de-lish-us!  We also had a popcorn break in the shade mid-afternoon ... but that was it!  Although many items looked tempting, I was glad we didn't make our trip to the fair a total calorie fest.

 

We all came home sweaty, tired, and happy.  I have fond memories of going to the MN State Fair with my family (including many recent ones, which Steve and I laughed about a lot yesterday), and I'm happy to be able to introduce a similar tradition to my girls.  There's nothing like a good state fair!

Book Talk

 In Things We Set on Fire, Vivvie unexpectedly takes custody of her two estranged granddaughters.  They are estranged because, as far as Vivvie knew, her daughter had moved them far away from her.  She soon learns that they had actually lived just a few miles apart for a number of years, and as the story unfolds we begin to understand why.  Also brought back together are Vivvie's two daughters, who have been at odds for years over their own haunting recollections of a series of events that occurred when they were young.  They find themselves back together sorting through their own versions of grief and shame.  This was a good book, quick and easy to read, but definitely had an overwhelming depressing element to it.

Portrait of a Girl is set in 1896 at a prestigious Swiss spa where people with money to spend go for relaxation or healing from the natural springs.  Nika, who is mute by choice after some tragic life events, finds herself working in the gardens of the resort.  When famous painter Segantini notices her, he decides he wants to use her as a model for his art, and in the process is determined to hear her speak again.  When I bought this book (from Kindle Daily Deals - aka cheap), I thought it was going to be historical fiction ... while that element was woven in here and there (Segantini was a real person), the story turned out to be more of a romance.  Not terrible, just not my preference.  Still, I'm glad I finished it; the story was enjoyable even if it wasn't what I was expecting when I started the book.

"The only important thing in a book is the meaning that it has for you."

W. Somerset Maugham

Up, up and away!

Yesterday afternoon, Steve had to do some work from home, so Sara and I took off during Emma's nap to spend the afternoon and evening at the Plano Balloon Festival.

 Sara rode a few rides, did some arts and crafts, got her face painted, and then we walked around to look at some of the vendors for a bit before finding a good spot for the main events.  We spread out our blanket and settled in (with cotton candy, of course) to listen to the band and await the arrival of the skydivers.

 All four skydivers made perfect landings not far in front of us.  As the time for the balloon lift-off approached, we were told that high winds might keep the balloons from being able to leave the launching ground.  The same thing happened to us last year, so I was hoping that the wind would cooperate this time.  After the pilots had a briefing, we found out that they were given the green flag to fly, but because of the winds, it would be at pilot discretion.  We watched as the pilots released helium balloons that helped them get a read on wind speed and direction.  The announcer predicted that only three or four balloons would go.  In the end, though, we saw about ten inflate and take off before the black flag was raised, signaling poor conditions.

 We had great seats, so Sara was able to see the whole process - from the balloons being rolled out across the field to take-off.  We were close enough to appreciate just how big the balloons are.  In the picture below, you can barely see a balloon already in the air in the upper-right corner while the multicolored one is just taking off.

 Of course our favorite balloons were the ladybug and pirate (you can just see the top of his blue bandana starting to inflate here).  We also liked waving to the people in the baskets as they flew away over our heads.

 

 

I was so happy that the weather worked in our favor this year, and that I got to share this neat experience with my Sara.  I have a feeling we'll be back next year, hopefully with Steve and Emma!

a few updates

• It's probably just a fluke, but it totally feels like fall in DFW.  Earlier this week it was 100 degrees, and by yesterday - after a good, soaking rain - we were in the 60s.  We've had windows open, and played/worked outside today without sweating like crazy.  It has been wonderful. 
• The Cyclones beat Iowa today!  It came down to a field goal attempt, which usually doesn't bode well for the Clones, but it worked today.  Our flags outside are flying with pride.
• Sara is still enjoying kindergarten.  Recently she has been most excited about visiting the library to check out books.  Also, the first time she bought lunch in the cafeteria, she came home and said, "Mom! It was so awesome: I typed in my number and then I didn't even have to give them any money!  It was free!" Ummm...yep...sort of.
• The other night I slammed Emma's fingers in the car door.  It was awful.  She turned out to be okay; her fingers are bruised, sore, and have just a little broken skin, so it could have been A LOT worse.  Still, I felt terrible and had a difficult time falling asleep that night for thinking about my carelessness.  
• Our house is already decorated for Halloween, thanks to Sara's convincing.  The Party City costume catalog came in the mail the other day, so she's in full Halloween-prep mode.  We did tell her the inflatable witch can't go in the front lawn quite yet, though.
• Steve and both girls have been fighting a respiratory virus for the past couple of weeks.  They've been coughing and blowing their noses like crazy.  All three ended up doing breathing treatments today.  Luckily no fevers, and the cough certainly hasn't slowed the girls down much.
• That's all for now since I'm fighting with little fingers that are trying to help me type!

Wordless Wednesday: Selfies with Emma

 

 

 

Jump Around

Emma's birthday fell on a Wednesday this year, so we had a low key celebration that evening with homemade pizza (half cheese, half veggie), cake, and presents.  Sara was a little upset at various points in the evening because it was Emma's birthday and not hers, but she is lucky to have grandparents and a great-grandma who slipped little surprises for her in amongst the gifts for the birthday girl. Between staying up to decorate the house and cake the night before, cupcakes at Emma's school during the day, cake and Pez in the evening, and the general excitement of a birthday, the girls slept hard Wednesday night and both got out of bed very begrudgingly on Thursday morning.

 

 Since our celebration on Wednesday night was short and sweet, and because we had decided against a big birthday party, we took the girls to Jumpstreet today.  In our house, we like to apply the "birthday week" theory. 

 

 

 

 

 

The girls had a blast at Jumpstreet, and afterward we grabbed a delicious bite to eat at Chuy's, where Emma refused to sit down unless it was in a real chair.  She is two now.  I'm always so thankful for these fun family days together; Sara is still fighting it, but Emma has been asleep since the ride home.  Happy exhaustion.

Terribly Terrific Two!

I almost can't make myself believe that our baby Emma is two.  What a ride it's been already!

Emma is still pretty small, wearing mostly 18 month clothes and size 4 shoes, although I've started buying 24 month and 2T for the winter.  She has a super cool mullet that she refuses to wear pulled into a ponytail, so it's usually just in its natural state, which has received many-o-compliment, as you can imagine.  Emma loves to swim and has started doing "big jumps" into the pool from the side.  When she's wearing her puddle jumper, she can maneuver all over the pool by herself, which she loves.  She's getting good at kicking and using her arms to get from one end to the other.  Emma takes good care of her stuffed friends, and spends time in the morning lining them up on her pillow and tucking them in so they can go night-night while she's gone.  Her big sister is still her hero, and she always wants to do whatever Sara is doing.  On the other hand, Emma has also started to find entertainment in fighting with her "sissy", so that's been interesting.

She has moments of terrific and moments of terrible ... without a doubt, they are all 100% Emma.  She hugs tightly, dances joyfully, screams intensely, laughs heartily, and loves unabashedly.  Emma is one of a kind, and our lives absolutely wouldn't be complete without her.

Happy 2nd Birthday, Emma Grace!  We love you more than words could ever say.