Finding My Maternal Side: The Great Minnesota Get Together

Despite the 90 degree weather and 100% humidity, we ventured out to the Minnesota State Fair. I love the fair! Of course I’m partial to the Iowa State Fair, but the Minnesota State Fair is a pretty close second (never mind I've only been to two state fairs). I mostly go for the food, but I also enjoy looking at the award winning vegetables. My sister-in-law, Andrea, had an exhibit this year showcasing old postcards, so I had to check that out. She took home 3^rd place in her category and won $2!

This was E’s first fair experience and seeing his reaction to all the sights and sounds was the highlight of this year’s trip. Just getting there was an adventure for him. E’s really into trucks, cars, planes; basically anything that has a motor and moves. We took the park-n-ride which meant he got to ride on a bus. He thought that was pretty cool and now “bus” is in his vocabulary.

When we arrived at the fair, our first stop was the Miracle of Birth Barn to check out all the baby animals born at the fair. When E saw the goats he was screaming “Baa Baa” and I thought he was going to jump out of his stroller with excitement. I’m sure he was confused, at Grandpa’s house he can walk right in with the goats, but I think they would frown upon that at the fair. Another big hit for E were the misting stations. There were water misters set up throughout the fair to cool off fair goers. E loves anything with water. All the live music at the various stages caught E’s attention as well. He busted out some great dance moves.

And of course there was E’s first experience with fair food, which is my personal favorite. He sampled corn dogs and cheese curds, chicken tenders and a turkey sandwich. He took advantage of the all you can drink milk and ended his trip to the fair with a stop at the Dairy Barn where he helped Grandma, Mom and Dad eat their malts. When we boarded the bus to get back home, he wiggled around between Mom and Dad for a while and then as soon as we took off he passed out on Dad’s lap and woke up barely enough to get a new diaper on and PJs and then was back to sleep.

I loved watching E’s reaction to everything, it made this fair experience so much better. I was proud with how well he behaved. He went with the flow and didn't fuss once even though we were out past his bedtime. I know E won’t remember his first fair, but I’m hoping that somewhere in that little mind of his he’s developing sense of a happy childhood.