Maeby has been looking forward to returning to the Benton county fair since the moment we left last year. Every time we drive by the fairgrounds she asks about it (also - the circus.) Well, yesterday, her long wait was over.
We stopped by the animal pens first, to ease Maeby into what was sure to be a long day, before all the craziness of rides, rodeo, and cotton candy took over.
Her favorite ride this year was probably the cars. She rode it about ten times, giving the operator her golden smile each time he buckled her in.
We ran into Isaac, and the two palled around for quite some time, going on rides together and having a blast.
Holding hands. So darling.
Grandma holding Georgie, who slept through 8 of the 9 hours we spent at the fair (the other hour was spent eating.)
Maeby and Mama at the rodeo. Mae didn't get a nap, so she started crashing big-time once she finally sat down.
Then . . . Lilly arrived, and she got her second wind back. These two are absolutely combustible together. Hilarious and high on life.
Mae and Lilly got to participate in the stick-horse race, probably the highlight of the day.
Our daughter came in last place, but only because she was the only kid to wait until they said "go!" before taking off.
Logan and Mia were also at the Rodeo, and we had the immense pleasure of sitting with them. They're a wonderful calming influence on our live-wire child, and superb friends all around.
I didn't get a ton of pics of actual rodeo action; I was too busy photographing all the adorable children sitting with me, but I am rather fond of this shot.
A few videos:
Maeby and Lilly: rodeo? What? There's a rodeo going on behind us?
Stick-horse racing:
In all, it was a fantastic day. We rode dozens of rides, ate cotton candy and roasted corn on the cob, and in general made the most of life. Mae fell asleep at about 10:00, an hour before the fair closed, and the moment we got her home and woke her up to put her PJs on, she blurted out "Where are the rides? I want the rides!"
She's already counting the days until next year.
