Monday. The big day.
I was so nervous the night before. I kept running through different scenarios in my head and get all sweaty and my heart would race. I felt like I was going on a first date, in a way. But with my husband and son.
Anyway, the drive up there was uneventful. We were on the highway for about an hour and then driving through little towns, and turning every mile or so (not even kidding) for the last hour. It was very pretty, though, and broke up the monotony of the highway.
We pulled into the parking lot and got a great spot even though people and cars were just streaming in. It was BOGO day and Labor Day so I knew it would be pretty packed. We unloaded Carter, got him in his new stroller (yes, ANOTHER new one...but this one can go off-roading!), and set out to find my friend.
We waiting at the entrance where there was a fountain and all sorts of people in their costumes talking to everyone and making funny jokes. Carter enjoyed listening to the bagpipe players and watching everyone walking around. He's a people-watcher, through and through.
I saw Girl's mom before I saw her. And then...there she was. My friend that I'd only seen in a few pictures, but poured my heart out to for the past (almost) two years. We hugged and she introduced me to her family. There were a lot of them! It was Girl, Buns, Sissy, Phatboy, Doogal, her sister and her boyfriend, her brother and his girlfriend, and her mom and dad. We were outnumbered. :-)
We went through the e-ticket line since I'd ordered ours in advance, and met them inside the gate. We started to walk around and after a few minutes, I didn't feel awkward anymore. I just felt like I was hanging out with my friend and her family. I think Girl was getting frustrated because with that many people, it's hard to make decisions on where to go and what to do next. Thankfully, the kids had ideas on what they wanted to see so that helped us!
Before I go any further, I need to discuss
the costumes Girl made. They were unbelieveable. Doogal was the cutest jester that ever existed. Even when he got pissed and slapped his head with his hands. Phatboy was a king, and every time one of the "actors" passed us, they bowed to him and said, "Your highness." I got a kick out of that. And Sissy, oh man. Sissy was a princess and she looked so beautiful. The kids warmed up to us pretty quickly, especially since they were surrounded by family and really didn't need to talk to us at all. Having Carter there helped in that regard. They kept coming up to him and saying, "Hi Carter!" It was so cute.
Anyway, the fair itself was really awesome. Way better than I remember the Maryland one being. We walked around and checked out all the sites, and at some point separated from the extended family. We were all about going to have cake with the Queen. Hello! It's cake! They wanted to eat lunch so we said smell ya later and went to get cake. Before lunch. Girl and Buns are the greatest parents ever to allow that. As we were waiting in line some lady behind me full on took her arms and tried to elbow me out of the way. I couldn't believe it. I've heard stories of people doing that at big sales and stuff, but had never had it happen to me. That one, she had some balls. Of course I stood my ground. No one gets between me and cake, thank you very much.
After that, it was turkey leg time! It took forever to find the one booth that was selling them. I remember them being everywhere at the last one I went to. Finally we found it and I ordered while Chris waiting in the world's slowest line for a drink. Because of course the turkey leg place doesn't sell normal drinks. So, there I was standing off to the side, a turkey leg in each hand. Some guy in line totally calls me out for double fisting. I must have looked ridiculous. Especially because I was gnawing on one while holding the other. Neanderthal, I am.
Anyhoo, we met back up with her family and then headed off to an acrobat show. They were really funny and all of the sudden, the girl was in our row, pulling Chris on to the stage with her! Of course they pick the one guy with back issues. Oy. They were climbing all over him and then stood on his shoulders to juggle. Chris was hilarious too. Every question they asked him he had a funny answer to. I bet people in the audience thought it was pre-planned. He had the audience absolutely roaring when the guy asked for a hand (to get up on his shoulders) and Chris started clapping. He's too much. That's like my worst nightmare to be up there in front of all those people, but he was great. (click the pic to make it bigger)
We spent the rest of the day exploring the fair and chatting. The kids got to play games and Sissy killed in the jousting "ride." She rode on his horse that slid along a rope (think zip line) and got her sword in the ring on the first try. Phatboy enjoyed using some sort of trebuchet-like contraption to get frogs into a bucket. Unfortunately, we missed the actual jousting competition though. Boo.
The only hiccup on the day was Carter getting sunscreen in his eye. Poor baby got all red and watery and irritated. He kept rubbing his eyes. I tried to flush it out with some water but that didn't really help so we went over to the First Aid office. She couldn't find her saline so she just dribbled water in his eye as well. By the time we got home that night it was fine.
The drive home was uneventful. We went a different way, since all the turns on the way up would have made it confusing to reverse. Thankfully, Chris' parents gave us an EZPass so we just sailed through on the PA Turnpike, went through Frederick and down to the Beltway. I expected a lot of traffic but it never really happened. Took us exactly 3 hours to get home.
How beautiful is this picture? I love it so much. She's got a special eye.
For more pics of the day's festivities,
click here!
Note: All pics in this post were taken by
Girl. No way in hell they're mine!
