Sunday Morning at the County Fair

What a great Sunday we had!! In the morning we took the boys to the Alameda County Fair. The county fairgrounds are very close to where we live. We got there as soon as they opened, so it wasn't crowded at all. We wanted to do something fun as a family since Tod had to work all day Saturday and he and I were going out on a much needed "date" Sunday afternoon.
We weren't sure how the boys would like the fair so we only planned on staying a short time. And our sitter was coming at noon. We were disappointed to find out that the rides didn't open until 11 am! But we walked around, had some "Lemon Shake Ups" and did some of the activities in the science tent. The boys (and Tod) enjoyed all the puzzles and things and they got to pet an albino snake. I watched that part from far away! By then the rides had opened. We went with the boys on the little roller coaster. I was worried about Ethan, when we rode the Merry-Go-Round at Tilden park, he started shaking and Tod had to hold him. Ethan had already started shaking before he got on the roller coaster. We kept asking him if he want to go on the ride and he kept saying "yes!!". By the 3rd time around the track, he started smiling. He did great! They both did!
Next Ethan wanted to try and win a stuffed animal at one of the carnival games. The girl who ran it was soo nice, she let both boys cheat so they could win a little stuffed toy. By this time Ethan was dragging us around to all the places he wanted to see. He picked "Jumpin' Jumbo" for the next ride. (Elephants that go around and up and down). After much discussion between Tod and I, we decided to let them go by themselves. The carny let Tod put them in and buckle them securely. And then we watched from the ground as they flew in the air! Ethan waved a couple times, Dylan was making his stuffed toy fly like the elephants. Cute.
By now it was time to go. Ethan and Dylan didn't put up a fuss about leaving, but we really think they had a good time and we were so proud of how well behaved they were.
Later in the evening, after Tod and I took the boys for a wagon ride around the neighborhood, we were all out in the back yard. It was beautiful weather for sitting outside. Ethan and Dylan used their toys to make carnival rides for their stuffed animals. The "merry-go-round" and the "ferris-go-wheel". It was so much fun to watch, they are very imaginative (I know I've said this before, but it's true!) Tod got some of it on video tape. I think we may try and get back to the fair next weekend. It's here until the 10th.

til later