Monday Funday

I’ve been looking forward to this day all weekend! I get to take my oldest child care kiddo “B” to the fair! We had a list of things we wanted to do. All kid centered and child led. B had sights set on the Little Hands Farm as our first stop so we got to the gates and headed up the hill!

B is just over four chickens tall. The attendant let them ride, but it’ll be the last mini tractor ride for this kid!

The big tractor is fun, but can’t make it go!

We had time to do all the activities inside the machine shed. No hurry, just fun!

PBS kids station is right across the street, so we had fun looking for favorite characters, playing games and building blocks!

I haven’t been to the Home Depot kids building area since Jack was little. It was so fun to relive those days!

A while ago, B was so afraid of dogs that they’d climb me like a tree whenever one passed. With lots of exposure therapy, we’ve been working through it. Today B was petting dogs twice their size!

The North End Event Center has a fun Candy Land experience. So many photo ops and interactive exhibits.

I cringed a little as the kiddo jumped in the ball pit. Wondering where we might find a full body sanitizing station… AKA a bath 🛁!

The attendant assured me the balls are cleaned every night… But are they really?

On the top of candy mountain, I spied one my favorite olde timey candies Necco wafers. I loved the black licorice ones best!

There’s a few more photo ops as you exit the exhibit. A passing couple took a picture for me!

Next on the list were Math on a stick and the Alphabet Forest. We spent lots of time with manipulatives and reading math stories as we discussed lunch options.

B didn’t want food, but shared a little trail mix I’d packed as a lady sat down with a foot long corn dog. I think the smell convinced B that was the thing for lunch!

We took a quick detour around the Kidway to get a corn dog and returned to play in the Alphabet Forest.

You get to ring the bell when you earn your blue ribbon!

I set parameters for expectations on the way into the fair. One ride, one treat, and one prize, but when you get to be honorary grandma for the day, those parameters go out the window. The ride tickets are now loaded onto cards. B didn’t know it, but I loaded enough tickets for five or six rides.

I made sure to reapply sunscreen and refill water bottles all day… for the kid.

After the Kidway we were headed to see Smokey the Bear. B asked me if the bear was in a cage and I replied, “no, he’s just a guy in a bear suit”. The kiddo said “oh, we can just skip it!” We were passing Sweet Martha’s and I asked if we should get a present for the rest of the family that didn’t get to come today and the little negotiator asked “if we get cookies, is that my treat?” In grandma mode I said no, they could have a cookie and still get something else!

I tried to explain what a butterhead was, but based on the kids expression, I think seeing was believing. We headed to the Dairy Building to check it out. It was SO crowded for a Monday. As we snuck up to the front so B could see, I looked over to the right and realized why it was so busy! Senator Amy Klobachar, Senator Tina Smith and the Secretary of Agriculture were in the house!

B was more impressed with butterheads and happy in the cow hat!

The only things left on our to do list, were to play at Rainbow Play Systems free climber and acquire the promised treat & prize! I can’t imagine how hot it was up inside the bubble! The temp must have been close to 90°.

The treat of choice was cotton candy!

The kid made quick work of that cone and I made a fast track to the bathroom, bypassing long lines so we could just get to a sink! SO STICKY!

A few times around the prize kiosk and the perfect pet was chosen!

The kiddo had no interest in staying for the parade, so we headed out the main gate, just as it began its approach.

It turned out to be the shortest parade yet, so we didn’t miss anything.

Jack had been out at the fair all morning with a fellow Ole, Kayla. We connected back at the car. On the way home, Jack asked B if they had a good day. B’s response? “It was the best day” ❤️

When I got home I looked up what the senator had been doing and lo and behold, her team had tweeted (X’ed?) a picture of the butterhead activity. We must have taken simultaneous photos! You can see my arms and bright green shirt behind the butter house.

I showered, put lotion all over my sunburn and rested a bit before returning to the fair around 6:30. I watched a little talent show and then connected with Mike, Kathleen and eventually Elysia. I was filling my water bottle and thought the machine wasn’t working. Turns out it was user error and the sensor was seeing through my bottle. Previous times I must have had the logo in the right spot without realizing. A lady waiting and watching me laughed with me when I realized what I was doing wrong.

After numerous slow texts trying to triangulate positions with Elysia. I’d say we were one place and by the time she got the text and arrived… we’d be gone. Elysia found us and had a special treat! The Donut Family blueberry compote lemon curd covered mini donuts.

I can’t eat the whipped cream on top, but I dove into the rest face first. I, of course, was wearing white, and carrying two beverages, so E offered to feed me as we walked! Miraculously, my shirt remained unsullied by blueberry stains!

The goal was to get to Bazaar to hear ABBAsolutelyFab, an ABBA tribute band. We found a stand up table at which to perch. I’m glad we didn’t have seats, because I preferred standing, dancing and singing loudly. They were ABBAfab!