Texas State Fair -- 2015

Generally in years past, we have either gone to the fair with all of Seth's family--parents and brother's family, or Seth has gone with them and I've stayed home (2010 and 2012 specifically ;-), but last year, when there was 11 of us, we realized it was just too big of a group to walk around together. We couldn't stay together because we were too big of a crowd and that's a lot of people with different fair "needs" and we had a hard time fitting everyone in. 

This year, Seth and I decided we wanted to be able to spend more time at the fair since it's our last non-real-school year and wanted to go with just Kim and David. David ended up having knee surgery a week before we had planned to go, so he wasn't able to join us, but Kim was. And I'm so thankful she came!! It is SO helpful to have that extra adult around to watch a kid or sit by the stroller or hang onto something. She even changed Carson while we were there!

Per tradition, she bought the boys some tickets right off the bat and we went through the car buildings first. I actually wanted to look at one and so did Seth and we ended up having to double-back to go through the other building to get to see both. This whole time, Austin is begging to be able to go on rides. I kept reminding him that we had tickets, that we would definitely do that, but that they are on the other end, so it would be awhile. After doing a few things, I had to suggest we just skip ahead to the rides and get them over with so I could stop hearing about it! gah! 

We're ready to hit the fair!

Big Tex. Go Dickies!

We stopped at this kids section to take some fun pictures, watch a marionette, see animals, and get the boys tattoos. The whole time Austin kept asking for rides so we went there next.

tatoos!

And then we were at the rides! 

Each rode three. Two together and then one each on their own. All of their own choosing.

Here's a video of Austin riding the race cars.

Here's a video of Graham riding the motorcycle.

Here's a video of the boys riding the monster truck.

Here's a video of the boys riding this plane ride.

We went to play some games next and did this ball toss one first. It's nearly impossible. They then each picked a duck and subsequently picked like the worst toy ever. (For the parents, that is.)

I can't think of what it's called, but we went to the fake farm next. I stayed outside with Carson and sat enjoying the people watching. The boys had a blast inside with Seth and Nonnie.

Is he doing the Aggie thumb thing already?

When they were done with that, we decided it was time to get some food and position ourselves for the parade. We didn't know that the picnic table we sat down at was right on the parade route, but now that we do, we'll probably do this again next year. Perfect spot. Chairs. Table to eat on. Etc. It was an amazing time, just sitting and enjoying the fair foods and chatting.

At one point, they tool turns blowing the trumpet and walking circles on here.
I bet people loved us

Awesome Sweet Tea. Awesome Sleeping Carson.

When that was over, we moved over to see the light show. It was different this year and SUCKY. If that doesn't change back, we won't stay again next year. The swords Nonnie bought the boys were pretty awesome though, and the boys love dancing to some music

Everyone looks good, but Carson is awesome in this picture.

Here's a short video of the bigs dancing to the music before the light show.

Cute Pic Post -- September 2015

September was Sick Month. We had a visit to the clinic (and antibiotics) every single week, always someone different. It was also the month that I decided to host a playdate every single week and start allergy treatments. I felt so busy, like I was keeping 50 plates spinning on sticks, that I never had time to glance away to check on my kids. My focus was up, away, and busy putting out fire after fire that there was no time for nurturing or higher-order things. My To Do list grew and grew and I had zero capacity to even think about doing anything on it. We ran out of the basics like milk, eggs, and bread every week. I was so low on gas twice this month that my light was on and it was beeping at me. That's how busy we were. (That is particularly significant for me because I grew up in the country in WI so you never let the gas get below quarter of a tank because you never know if you'll get stuck somewhere.)

It was also Georgia Mae's birthday and time for us all to go to the dentist (which went great for the boys and Seth, but I need a filling). We got back into the swing of hosting dinner parties (which is hard for us to do in the summer because the house stays so hot all day) and we didn't do much last spring when I was big pregnant or right after Carson's arrival. We continued with Classic Movie Education while we were home sick. Seth and I did a day and a half of marriage retreat at church followed by our traditional anniversary dinner at Red Lobster.

Some friends of our left little girl hair pieces in our house, and I couldn't help myself!

Small Group friends helping clean up a chocolate cake accident.

It's coming!

We "hosted" playdates for our preschool friends, and the first one was at a park. It wasn't that hot and this park has great shade, but it wasn't an hour until the humidity absolutely killed us. Time to go!

Sweaty boys!

Graham ripped a bandaid off his head and took hair with it.

THIS busy.

I love Target. Thank you for making life easier.
The stopper is worth the hassle of getting all three
kids out of the car and walk through the store.
Which really saying something!

Also known as the day my defenses were super low
and I was glad they didn't sell anything more expensive
on endcaps because I couldn't bear to hear fighting and said yes to everything.

Mr. Flexible

Name that classic movie #1.

ha!

Amen to the relaxed host part.

Mine almost looked as good as the cover!

Name that classic movie #2.

I started baking loaves for the boys for breakfast.

Can you spot Austin's answer? HAHAHAHA!!!

Graham posing with himself.

The Orange Brothers.

Red Lobster was extra good to us this year.

The Bigs go to the dentist. We love Dental Depot!

Carson watched the train too!

No cavities!

Fresh and Squeaky Clean Smiles!

I started my allergy treatments with a Rush Day, so I was there for 8 hours. I brought lots to do and headphones to keep people from talking to me.

8 shots over 8 hours

We did a little bit of "school" this month. Partly because Austin sometimes comes home with therapy homework and often comes home with homework from school. So while he works on his stuff, I'll get out something for Graham to work on, this time it was the sorting pie.

maze work

connecting dots

sorting fruit into the pie

baby had eye,ear,sinus infection and snot coming out his eye

They call it a Swirl, I call it Heaven.

Classic Movie #3

Stripey Jammies Brothers

Got my nails painted and LOVED it.
This color was very me.

Celebrating Family Pictures are over at Mellow Mushroom.

We watched the sunrise, ate cookies for breakfast,
and soaked in the weather.

I felt the orange moon was over-rated.

Cool Little Brother

Chapters read The Astronaut Wives Club and the treats were too easy!

We moved seats up and around.

Big Boy sitting up in a cart!

That didn't last long. lol

This time I was seriously scared I would run out of gas.

"Melissa Cake" and 36 red ones on our day. :-)

Here's a cute video of Carson's latest trick.