I Love A Fair

The NC State Fair just packed up its carnies and its deep fryers and hit the road.

While it was here I made sure to pay a visit with Luke and the hubby in tow. Although, full disclosure, we only went for the food. I'm sure someone finds prize-winning pies interesting but that person is not me. Unless I get to eat it. Then I'm all for it.

I also like roller coasters, but not the kind that get broken down and re-assembled every two weeks. I mean, how often does something make it from Ikea to my house and not have all the pieces it needs? I'm not going to try it on a bigger scale.

But the food. Oh, the wonderful, deep-fried, terribly fattening food. I had a corn dog, which I get every year, and a deep-fried Reese's cup. I don't have pictures of either of those because that would entail me not eating them as soon as possible. The hubby had a philly cheese steak and Luke had tater tots. Don't judge me - there's not much kid-friendly food at a fair. Plus, he didn't eat the whole serving. I ate some, because I'm that good of a mom. That's right. I will BEGRUDGINGLY EAT TATER TOTS so that they don't go to waste. Where's my medal? Then we ended the day by sharing an apple dumpling topped with John Deere ice cream. Seriously, did we do anything other than eat? Oh, that's right. We hit up the petting zoo.

This part doesn't require much narration. It's just my cute kid with some cute animals being extra cute together.

Aaaaalmost petting the goat, but never actually touching it.

Getting a kiss from an alpaca.

Eek, camel!

This camel is hilarious.

I know I promised minimal narration but I just have to share this: The petting zoo had several gumball-type-machines that dispensed pellet food to give the animals. The camel recognized the sound the machines made and would trot over any time someone dispensed food. And, being taller than anything else there, he would just reach over the goats, donkeys, etc and take the food. Every time. If you didn't buy food he just got really close to your face as if he could charm you into whipping out a quarter. See? Hilarious.

Have you done anything fall-ish lately? Petted anything exotic? Stolen food from a goat? Do tell.

Veronica and I are trying this new fad called jogging.

I believe its 'jogging' or 'yogging', it might be a soft 'J', I'm not sure. But apparently you just run for an extended period of time.



First of all, if you don't know that quote, you are missing out on one of the best movies of all time. Go watch Anchorman, right now.

Secondly, like Ron and Veronica, I now consider myself a jogger. I got tired of driving to and paying for the gym when I have a perfectly good neighborhood I can run around. For free. I'm not hardcore enough to say I'm a runner, because runners don't have to take frequent asthma breaks. But I think the jogging community won't be too offended if I include myself among them.

Of course, every new hobby requires some amount of accouterments. Can't be a wizard without a wand and a broom; can't be a potter without a pottery wheel and Patrick Swayze. So of course, now I feel like I need jogging stuff. Namely a jogging stroller.

As of a few weeks ago I thought jogging strollers were part of the conspiracy to get parents to buy crap they don't need. See: wipe warmers. I mean, what is so special about a jogging stroller? But after talking to some friends and attempting to jog with our regular stroller, I am now a convert. Jogging strollers have several features that separate them from regular old baby hauling devices, namely an enormous price tag. I did some googling and found that jogging strollers cost between $150 - $500. Um, I don't think so.

Don't ask me why, but Saturday morning I felt compelled to wake up and go yard sale hunting with my in-laws instead of my regularly scheduled sleeping in. Apparently I was driven by fate because I found a jogging stroller for $40. And because you can't shop at yard sales without haggling, I talked the seller down to $30! Luke and I have already taken it for a test-drive and we are both big fans.

Have you gotten any crazy deals on baby/kid gear lately?