Day 3

Yesterday we had another great day at the fair, this time just us three. We met tiny piggies, politicians, and friends. I think we did everyone proud by staying 10 hours and eating our body weight in grease, cheese, and powdered sugar. Every bone in my body hurts, and I can't wait to go back Wednesday! I am about to post more photos than most of you will want to sit through, but give it a try.

Millie, meet Al. Al, meet Millie.



Millie got a newspaper hat at the Newspaper Museum. Doesn't she look excited?



This is as close as she was willing to get to the pigs. Here, she offers a stick of hay from a safe distance.



Checking out giant mama pig and her many pink babies. I always feel so sorry for that poor mama.



Learning how to milk a cow. Hey, times are tough all over.



We ran into David and the kids took a break from petting the animals to do some arts and crafts.



Being a cheese stick at the dairy building where mom got yet another strawberry rhubarb sundae.



On the Space Tower. She liked it much better this year than last.



Despite the look on her face, Millie enjoyed the afternoon parade.



After the parade, we had the brilliant idea of spreading a blanket under a tree and relaxing for a while. We thought that maybe, just maybe, Millie might even drift off. Not so much.


Instead, she got airplane rides from dad.









So we gave up on the nap and hit the kiddie midway. Millie is so small she could only go on a couple of rides, but she was fearless, while I sat on the bench chewing my finger nails and choking back tears. My tiny baby, up so high on a rickety fair ride, what was I thinking?!







Loving the dinosaur ride.



At five p.m. in the middle of the food building, Tony looked into the stroller to find this.



She woke up an hour later and we stayed until 8 pm. Whew.

And on our days off...

from the fair, we have a healthy snack with daddy on the porch.


In this case, a bana (banana).


We park cars on our lawn.


And we take a walk to Snelling for some fair food from vendors outside the main gate. I know, I'm a terrible mother, call Child Services.

Great new pics

Thanks to Alissa and her fancy shmancy new camera, we have more great shots of the kids from the first day at the fair. Take a look at Z's blog for additional pics.

Millie slowly recovering from her mid-morning crash thanks to some beignets.




Millie hates being messy. Maybe she got it from me, I dunno. Thanks Annaleigh for sharing your cookies.

Side note: who's the guy with the mic in the background? A reporter sneaking in the back of Sweet Martha's Cookies to investigate a rumor they are laced with crack perhaps? How else would you explain the long lines waiting to drop $14 for a bucket of chocolate chip cookies?

Tired kiddos. Although, a little fatigue has never stopped Zach from eating.

Thanks Alissa!

Day 2

Today we went back into the madness that is the State Fair with Mame and David in tow. It was crazy busy but we still had a lovely day. We took our time and stopped for breaks in the shade so the kids could run in circles and burn off the sugar a bit. And as promised, we did venture into the sheep barn. We also saw the bunnies, which were cute and puffy and inexplicably huge. It's important to note here that, evidentially, an irrational fear of mutant crowned chickens in cages placed too close together is hereditary. Millie's reaction to these birds: "No, no....no no. Let's go back to the bunnies." I hate the crazy chickens too, so we turned right around and went back to the nice giant bunnies.

In the food department, I only got one item during the day but it was amazing: a strawberry rhubarb sundae in the dairy building. Tart and sweet and oh so creamy. Millie preferred the free samples of BBQ beef. Strange girl.

Mr. and Ms. Minnesota State Fair.




Good sharing David.


It's not the state fair until you walk around in a Pronto Pup crown.


Getting her I Heart Lamb tattoo. Seriously.


Showing off loot.

First Day of the Great Minnesota Get-Together

The gorgeous weather brought out the crowds on the first day of the State Fair, but it was worth snaking our way through the masses with three giant strollers.

Today's damage: Ice coffee at Farmer's Union, beignets at Ragin' Cajun, taco from El Sol, and of course, my beloved zeppoles (little balls of fried dough, injected with sweet cream and topped with a healthy sprinkling of powdered sugar, which, yes, as Anna pointed out, is a lot like beignets, but whose counting).

Since we only made it to the horse barn today, the sheep will most certainly be on the menu...I mean, agenda for tomorrow. Also on the to-do list for Day Two, the dairy building for malts and a picture of Millie next to Michael Jackson's head carved out of butter. Delish.

For now, here are some pics:

Ready Freddie.


We are through the front gates! Whoo hoo! Tracy, Gwen (yes, she's in there) and Millie.


On the Merry-Go-Round that scared the bejesus out of her last year. This year she was all, "Weeee! Look at me Isla (Alissa) I on the mewie-go-round!" That's Alissa behind us, totally not exerting herself so close to her due date.


And finally, brushing on that powdered sugar off her teeth before bed.

Babies babies everywhere

Millie is in baby heaven. First, a great lunch/shopping date with Baby Gwen (and her mommy), then today we finally got to meet little Miss Greta. Were our kids ever that tiny? So precious!

Gwenie:
OK, all together now: Awwwwwwww.


If Millie looks confused, it's because she was never this calm when she was that little.

Greta:
Despite of what it may look like, Greta is ok, just very relaxed.

Millie's report to Daddy tonight: "I sat on the couch (acting this all out) and hold tiny Greta (holds out her hands as if holding a baby about the size of a large orange), at the same time!"

Don't get any ideas.

A Change in Perspective

Finally, our little peanut is big enough to face forward in her car seat. Dad promised her a big surprise when she got into the car, so after the initial "that's it? This is your big surprise?" reaction, she seemed pretty pleased with the new view. Now I get a running commentary of when each light turns. "Stop Mama, the light is red!" "Oh, it's green now."

Hmmm, not sure at first.

Well, ok, this is kinda cool.

I a big girl!

Millie and David

A trip to the Farmer's Market: $12 dollars

Black Bear Cafe for ice coffee: $3 dollars

A quiet moment on a rock with your future husband: Priceless

And now, for your weekend update...

The weekend started with a bang, literally, as we woke up to pouring rain, despite anything Sven the Weather Munchkin promised. But when the sun came out we went for a walk around the State Fair Grounds. It's so exciting to see the place come together, Pronto Pup and Lemonade carts all lined up and squeeky clean. Millie enjoyed running around the empty grounds and meeting the various statues, including Mighty Midway Thrillasaures.

Millie, meet Lucy.


We took advantage of the empty fair grounds to enjoy a relaxing moment in the log swing, which is normally occupied by either two very large people wearing Green Bay Packers T-shirts, or by six elderly men wearing suspenders and black socks.

I have to mention here that Saturday I got to go out on a rare girls' night out. My friends Marnie and Kim invited me to join them for a Circus Juventas show. It was amazing. Topped by dinner at Mango Thai and dessert at Cafe Latte, it was a perfect evening. Thanks guys, I so needed that.

Sunday, it was off to the zoo, Como Town, and the merry-go-round. The usual route.


We ran into Sophie and her family at the Sparky the Seal show. After a ride on the merry-go-round, the girls broke into a dance. Happy girls.




And did I mention? The State Fair is coming!!!