Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Playing With Daddy
We’re a family that likes to play. Anytime and anywhere; we have a lot of fun. This particular day, I don’t remember what got us started, but I do remembering laughing really hard and having the best time. I’m pretty sure it all started in the middle of a pull-up’s change. The pictures speak for themselves.
Tuesday, December 30, 2008
Fun & Games
It just occurred to me that I never wrote about our trip to the Tulsa State Fair this year, so stick with me as we take, yet another, step back in time.
This year, we visited on September 28th. There was a chance of rain that day, but we were running out of time, so we took our chances with the weather. Having long outgrown the stroller (in both size and tolerance), we opted instead to see if the girls would ride in the new pink “buggies” we’d bought them. We tried tricycles first, thinking the girls were old enough to maneuver them. Instead, not quite yet coordinated enough and just a tad lazy, they wanted us to push them around on the tricycles. So, those were tossed up in the attic for the spring, and I finally broke down and bought each of them the same little car that I’ve been eyeing the girls’ friend, Grace, enjoying across the street. Needless to say, they LOVE them. So, they seemed to be our best shot at getting the girls to ride in something other than our arms. Cadie was pretty cooperative and content; Maddie, on the other hand, tends to jump at any opportunity to be stubborn and obstinate. A trip to the fair is no exception. So, with our family of four, and Grana and Poppy along for the ride, we ventured into the fair.
We stopped right inside the gate to visit with a “cowboy” and his pony. He was graciously giving all the kiddos a free quick ride, so we decided to see if the girls would oblige. They were both pretty scared having never seen a full-sized horse. Surprisingly, Cadie went into hysterics and didn’t want to have anything to do with the horse, but Maddie was willing enough to at least stand by it. I even talked her into giving the horse a quick pet. Oh well, there’s always next year.
Next stop, the Petting Zoo. The girls had a blast year. This year’s petting zoo was a little bit disappointing. There weren’t nearly as many baby goats, and everything seemed very spread out. We all had a good enough time, though. The girls especially enjoyed the baby chicks. Cadie spent half the visit walking around going, “Cheep, cheep!”
This year, since the girls were old enough, we decided to take them on a couple of rides. It was also a good opportunity to get an idea of how they will do at Disney World in February. We were limited to rides that we could ride with them since they aren’t tall enough (or old enough, in my opinion) to ride by themselves. Our first choice was a Flinstones inspired ride that put us in cars, riding around a track. They had a lot of fun with those. Next, we rode a tilt-a-whirl type ride in the shape of dragons. Again, it was a lot of fun. We couldn’t spin too much, though, because Daddy gets motion sickness pretty easy!
What is a trip to the fair without partaking of some fair food? We decided to stick with the traditional selections and opted for a corn dog and fries. The girls devoured that poor corn dog and the French fries weren’t spared much more. Appetites suppressed, we headed for our final destination.
Finally, we ventured into the Quick Trip Center to visit booths and walk around. The girls really enjoyed the playground displays; so much, that we had a hard time getting them to leave them. We also came across a clown, so we waited in line to have some balloon animals made. Halfway through, they both decided that they wanted theirs to be hats, so the clown happily obliged. He even took a picture of the girls for his portfolio.
After that visit, it was becoming very apparent that naptime was on the horizon, so we packed up and headed home, another fun fair adventure under our belts.
This year, we visited on September 28th. There was a chance of rain that day, but we were running out of time, so we took our chances with the weather. Having long outgrown the stroller (in both size and tolerance), we opted instead to see if the girls would ride in the new pink “buggies” we’d bought them. We tried tricycles first, thinking the girls were old enough to maneuver them. Instead, not quite yet coordinated enough and just a tad lazy, they wanted us to push them around on the tricycles. So, those were tossed up in the attic for the spring, and I finally broke down and bought each of them the same little car that I’ve been eyeing the girls’ friend, Grace, enjoying across the street. Needless to say, they LOVE them. So, they seemed to be our best shot at getting the girls to ride in something other than our arms. Cadie was pretty cooperative and content; Maddie, on the other hand, tends to jump at any opportunity to be stubborn and obstinate. A trip to the fair is no exception. So, with our family of four, and Grana and Poppy along for the ride, we ventured into the fair.
We stopped right inside the gate to visit with a “cowboy” and his pony. He was graciously giving all the kiddos a free quick ride, so we decided to see if the girls would oblige. They were both pretty scared having never seen a full-sized horse. Surprisingly, Cadie went into hysterics and didn’t want to have anything to do with the horse, but Maddie was willing enough to at least stand by it. I even talked her into giving the horse a quick pet. Oh well, there’s always next year.
Next stop, the Petting Zoo. The girls had a blast year. This year’s petting zoo was a little bit disappointing. There weren’t nearly as many baby goats, and everything seemed very spread out. We all had a good enough time, though. The girls especially enjoyed the baby chicks. Cadie spent half the visit walking around going, “Cheep, cheep!”
This year, since the girls were old enough, we decided to take them on a couple of rides. It was also a good opportunity to get an idea of how they will do at Disney World in February. We were limited to rides that we could ride with them since they aren’t tall enough (or old enough, in my opinion) to ride by themselves. Our first choice was a Flinstones inspired ride that put us in cars, riding around a track. They had a lot of fun with those. Next, we rode a tilt-a-whirl type ride in the shape of dragons. Again, it was a lot of fun. We couldn’t spin too much, though, because Daddy gets motion sickness pretty easy!
What is a trip to the fair without partaking of some fair food? We decided to stick with the traditional selections and opted for a corn dog and fries. The girls devoured that poor corn dog and the French fries weren’t spared much more. Appetites suppressed, we headed for our final destination.
Finally, we ventured into the Quick Trip Center to visit booths and walk around. The girls really enjoyed the playground displays; so much, that we had a hard time getting them to leave them. We also came across a clown, so we waited in line to have some balloon animals made. Halfway through, they both decided that they wanted theirs to be hats, so the clown happily obliged. He even took a picture of the girls for his portfolio.
After that visit, it was becoming very apparent that naptime was on the horizon, so we packed up and headed home, another fun fair adventure under our belts.
Pumpkin Patch
Our next stop in our fall adventure was a trip to the Pumpkin Patch on Friday, October 17th. We took the girls to this particular pumpkin patch last fall, but it didn’t have even half of the activities then as it did this year. It was a veritable pumpkin wonderland!
We took a stroll through the covered area that was overflowing with pumpkins of every shape, size, and color. Both of the girls were fascinated by them and made a game of looking at and touching every last one. Cadie took it a step even further and decided she would attempt to pick up every last one, no matter the size. Jeff and I both were pretty amazed by her strength. She’s a lot stronger than her tiny frame suggests!
Once we had our fill of pumpkins, we ventured over to one of this year’s new additions, the inflatable slide. We’ve taken the girls to one of those inflatable play areas, so they weren’t totally unfamiliar, but I wasn’t sure if they would be intimidated by the size and height of this particular slide. Their smiling and enthusiastic faces answered my concern very quickly. It did seem, however, that at least one of us would have to accompany them up and down due to the steep nature of the steps. Again, I was wrong. After the first trip up, it became very apparent that they didn’t need as much help with the steps as I thought, and they certainly didn’t need any help coming down. Still, I went with them for their remaining four slides just in case one of the bigger kids pushed them down. The sliding, however, they did entirely on their own. In fact, Maddie got a little creative and took her third and final slides on her belly. It was so much fun!
Next, we took a tractor ride around the track. It was so paced, but very fun and relaxing. It was a beautiful day, so we were able to bask in the sun and just enjoy the delight on the girls’ faces.
Finally, we decided to test the pony ride waters. After a couple of minutes of watching other kids ride, the girls responded with an enthusiastic “yes” when we asked if they wanted to ride the ponies. So, we decided to give it a go once we were guaranteed a refund if they refused. Not surprisingly, Cadie was perfectly at ease atop her pony. She even gently kicked at his sides as if she was encouraging him to go faster. Maddie’s was a mixed review. She didn’t hate it, but she didn’t love it. She asked to get off a couple of times, but we had already started and I knew she could survive the trip, so instead I let her have a death grip on me the entire time. Of course, the minute she got off she was beaming about how she’d ridden a pony and how much fun it was. I knew it!
As we left, the girls spotted an inflatable decoration that they just loved. It was shaped as a pumpkin, and every so often an inflatable cat would rise out of the top. They absolutely loved it; so much that we eventually had to force them away to the car.
Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch was definitely one of the highlights of the fall. This one (at 81st & Mingo) is great for kids of all ages and is one that we will definitely be visiting again next year.
We took a stroll through the covered area that was overflowing with pumpkins of every shape, size, and color. Both of the girls were fascinated by them and made a game of looking at and touching every last one. Cadie took it a step even further and decided she would attempt to pick up every last one, no matter the size. Jeff and I both were pretty amazed by her strength. She’s a lot stronger than her tiny frame suggests!
Once we had our fill of pumpkins, we ventured over to one of this year’s new additions, the inflatable slide. We’ve taken the girls to one of those inflatable play areas, so they weren’t totally unfamiliar, but I wasn’t sure if they would be intimidated by the size and height of this particular slide. Their smiling and enthusiastic faces answered my concern very quickly. It did seem, however, that at least one of us would have to accompany them up and down due to the steep nature of the steps. Again, I was wrong. After the first trip up, it became very apparent that they didn’t need as much help with the steps as I thought, and they certainly didn’t need any help coming down. Still, I went with them for their remaining four slides just in case one of the bigger kids pushed them down. The sliding, however, they did entirely on their own. In fact, Maddie got a little creative and took her third and final slides on her belly. It was so much fun!
Next, we took a tractor ride around the track. It was so paced, but very fun and relaxing. It was a beautiful day, so we were able to bask in the sun and just enjoy the delight on the girls’ faces.
Finally, we decided to test the pony ride waters. After a couple of minutes of watching other kids ride, the girls responded with an enthusiastic “yes” when we asked if they wanted to ride the ponies. So, we decided to give it a go once we were guaranteed a refund if they refused. Not surprisingly, Cadie was perfectly at ease atop her pony. She even gently kicked at his sides as if she was encouraging him to go faster. Maddie’s was a mixed review. She didn’t hate it, but she didn’t love it. She asked to get off a couple of times, but we had already started and I knew she could survive the trip, so instead I let her have a death grip on me the entire time. Of course, the minute she got off she was beaming about how she’d ridden a pony and how much fun it was. I knew it!
As we left, the girls spotted an inflatable decoration that they just loved. It was shaped as a pumpkin, and every so often an inflatable cat would rise out of the top. They absolutely loved it; so much that we eventually had to force them away to the car.
Our trip to the Pumpkin Patch was definitely one of the highlights of the fall. This one (at 81st & Mingo) is great for kids of all ages and is one that we will definitely be visiting again next year.
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