Day Four

Whew. Here we go again...

Tuesday's visit to the fair with Tracy and Jon was really fun, in spite of the constant drizzle. But I knew when I told Millie that I was going to take her home for the evening and she didn't argue that she needs a day off. So today we are relaxing at home and catching our breath so we can be ready for the 90 degree plus day tomorrow.

From yesterday:

Rockin' out to Guitar Hero at the arcade. Man that place is violent!

Day Three

Monday was day three at the fair for Millie. After spending the night with her Saba and Safta (so Tony and I could go to the fair, of course), Saba and Safta joined us for another full day.

Millie the Golden Gopher.

It was a proud parenting moment when Millie chose an apple freeze over cotton candy. 

It was cold.

But she loved it and asked for another.  

Resting with Saba before the parade. 

The giant pumpkins don't change much from year to year. 

Fun with Saba.

State Fair 2011

First, I apologize for not posting immediately about the first two days of the fair. I know my audience is all about instant gratification, and I feel I have let you all down. In my defense, I was extremely nauseous on Thursday night, having consumed more grease, fat, and sugar in one day than I had in almost a year. I didn't even eat that much, but I guess it was just too much for my now-cleansed system to handle. Since then I've been having computer issues. Hopefully it will work today.

So without further adieu, here are photos of Millie and crew on the first two days of the Great Minnesota Get Together.

First bite of the 2011 Fair: Zeppole. She handed it back to me after the first bite and requested Tiny Tim Donuts instead.

There was a science fair at Carousel Park where Millie got to add to a "City of the Future" display. She chose to create a bus, which slowly morphed into a flying bus. Hey, it's the future! 

Saving the planet. 

With Ian at the cow barn. Ain't he handsome?! They'll have beautiful babies some day. 

Sporting her Millie necklace.

With the boys watching the dog show. 

Ran into Eve. Bonus!

Shaved ice! Mmmm. 

 Who knew pretending to ride a John Deere would make her so happy?

DAY TWO

Fluffy bunny. 

You can fill the house with toys, but they still prefer to play with free balloons for an hour. 

Millie and David mesmorized by the bagpipes. 

Meeting author Deborah Frasier at Alphabet Forest, the coolest place at the fair if you have, or are, a child under ten.

Best use for a swimming noodle ever.

This was the first time I have ever had to pull her off a ride. Bad dinosauers. 

First experience with cotton candy. Loved it!

Watching the Armstrong (go Falcons!) marching band. 

There is nothing better than seeing a parade through a child's eyes. 

Drovi in awe. 

More farm equipment. It's not so much that she loves farming, it's more that I love being in Machinery Hill, where it's much quieter than the rest of the fair grounds. 

Besties watching a hip-hop show. Hit it!

Food blog posts starting next week. I promise. 

Summer fun with Yonatan

Last time our friends visited from Israel, it was the dead of winter and all they saw of Minnesota was the wall of snow on my parents' deck, and the Mall of America.

Fast forward six months, and we finally got to show off our beloved state in all her summery glory. This time we hit all the hot spots (get it?), like Teddy Bear Park in the always-impressive Stillwater, Highland Park Pool, and of course Como Town and Zoo. Add a few afternoons of running through the slip & slide in our front yard, and you've got a much friendlier Minnesota than they met in January.

Demonstrating the American method of bubble blowing. Yonatan is fascinated.

Oh Yonatan, you crack me up!

Millie's 14th photo on the Como Town train, Yonatan's first. 

Tea cups seem to impress girls more than boys. Go figure. 

No, polar bears are not native to Minnesota, but good question. 

Teddy Bear Park. 

Saying our final goodbye of the week in Stillwater. Sniff sniff. 

And five minutes out of Stillwater...