Fair Food Diet

So, I was going to go on a diet. And then this happened:

I went to Grange Fair in Central Pennsylvania, where they have row after row after ROW of stands like this with crazy, crazy food. It's like a secret world of food. Food you have never heard of before. Food that you can imagine a five-year-old dreaming up.

Fried vegetables. Fried pickles. What a way to get your veggies.

Rainbow-colored doughnuts and cookies.

And when you do get something normal, like an ice cream cone, it's like an ice cream cone on crack. HUGE. And the prices are crazy low. This cone was $2.

Fair brownie. The brownie is hidden under the ice cream, cool whip, and hot peanut butter sauce. The cool whip was higher, but I had to walk back to our tent before I could get to my camera, so it had started to deflate a bit.

A plain old funnel cake? Not at this fair. Try a funnel cake covered in any topping you can dream up. Srinkles, chocoate, M&M's.

Another new one for me: Monkey bread. I have no idea why they call it that, but it's really like a huge cinnamon roll, again with any toppings you could want.

More funnels cakes with a MOUNTAIN of stuff on top. The bottom row is your choice of chocolate covered bananas.

So, yeah, I was going to go on a diet. That was replaced by trying desperately to try every item I could in 2 1/2 days. It's a lot of work. Harder than you may think. You really have to pace yourself. There is a lot I didn't get to.

But, thank goodness, there is always next year. I will come prepared and with a very hungry, non-dieting tummy.

A Green Wish

I was reading Jude a new book we got recently from the library. It's about a woodcutter who finds a fairy in the forest. He saves this fairy from a hawk that intends to eat him. So, in return, the fairy gives the woodcutter a gift: one wish.

When we got to this point in the story, I stopped to ask Jude the obvious, just to see what he would come up with:

If you had just one wish in the whole world, what would you wish for?

And he thought about it for a while and said, with a confident smile,

I would wish that all the things in my neighborhood were green.

What a nice, simple, sweet little boy wish. But somehow profound too. I really feel almost jealous of him sometimes, of that amazingly creative little mind he has. I feel like it really does get lost as the years go by. The enjoyment of simple things. And the power of the imagination. I'm just so grateful to have him reminding me of these things. How wonderful it would be if everything in our neighborhood was green.

Buttlerflies, Bird Houses, and Bells

This weekend, we braved a day excursion with the family to Tyler Arboretum. We learned of several fun things you can do at the arboretum, that you may have never done before:

1. Make silly faces while sitting on a butterfly bench.

2. Climb a frog.

3. Hang out in a giant bird house.

4. Ring tree bells.

5. Get really close to some butterflies...

...and even closer.



So, at the end of our amazing, but tiring day at the arboretum, we packed up, hiked back up the hill and out to our van. We strapped the kids in, took a sigh of relief that the walking was over, and had to use a bit more energy to laugh as Jude's voice came from the back seat:

"Why did we go there?"

Play Date Waiver

My house (namely my toddler) has become so dangerous, that I sometimes feel I need to hand out waivers when friends bring their children over, especially younger, sweeter children. So, what do you think about this? Seem fair?

Child's Name ____________________
Parent's Name _________________________

I, the undersigned, am the parent of the above named child/children and I agree, in visiting Jude's home for a play date, to release and hold harmless Jude and his entire family, from any and all claims, suits, and charges, in connection with or arising out of play time with Jude, including, but not limited to:

bodily harm or injury to my child(ren) caused by attacking dinosaurs, flying trains, or ramming machines; other harm caused by biting, hitting, throwing, pinching, kicking, jumping, pushing, spitting, lifting, or stomping and any hearing damage caused by unusually high levels of screaming or yelling. I understand that Jude does not favor "sharing" his toys and may react violently when one is taken, even if that person is an infant.

I also understand and accept that any socks, food, or plush toys that I choose to leave on the floor or on a low table surface may be taken by Jude's dog, Maggie, and subsequently slobbered on and/or destroyed.

I assume full responsibility for any cleaning bills ensued by the layer of white dog hairs that may appear on my clothing after visiting Jude's house and any dark spots left by dog slobber in the event that Maggie drinks and chooses to clean herself on my pants.

I do not expect Jude's house to be clean, orderly, or in any way "neat." I also realize that the kitchen is off limits unless I want to cause an avalanche of dishes.

I will not hold Jude's family responsible if this play date is in no way fun or productive and/or if I am not able to hear myself think and leave with a pounding head ache.



Signature of parent or guardian ________________________
Date ____________

A Weekend With Grand-Daddy

My dad, or "Grand-Daddy" to the kids, came up from FL this weekend and we had a great time.
We had an evening picnic at the arboretum...

...where Jude showed off his climbing skills.

And Ruby showed off her modeling skills.

Jude sure does love his Grand-Daddy.

They watched the trains together (model trains on outdoor tracks).

And Ruby did a bit of flirting with Grand-Daddy.

And a bit of cuddling with me.

Jude picked a flower (I'm sure totally illegal at the arboretum, but it got a good smile out of him!)

After eating our picnic dinner, watching the trains, admiring the geese at the pond, and checking out the greehouse, it was time for a treat.

Jude wouldn't take bites of his popsicle. He would only lick it, so this took a very, very long time and sent quite a mess down his arm. But, another great photo opportunity.

An unusual instance of sharing.

On our second day, we visited a local play cafe and watched the kids having a great time with all the wooden toys.

And I finally got Jude a haircut. It was getting ridiculous. Ruby sat in this little pink car while we waited.

Definitely her style.

Back at home, Ruby chills out in her favorite chair.

Is this a cool kid, or what?

Those smiles kill me.

And, in Ruby language, this translates to "PICK ME UP!!!"

What a great weekend.

What great kids.