Arlington County Fair

Like so many other want-to-do-the-best-for-their-kids parents, we made it to the county fair a couple of weeks ago so that the kids could taste a little Americana and really get into the feel of their heritage.  We forked over more money than I care to recall on ride tickets (they take all major credit cards at the rickety sales' booths now) and then placed are precious little jewels on the carnival rides.  Not only do they look the same as the ones I rode 30 years ago, but they probably ARE the same ones from 30 year ago.  And where is the All Fair Memo that goes to the ride operators saying that they all need to look like they smoke 2 packs a day and have a large, non-removable bracelet on their ankle?? Ah! 

We bonded with dozens of our fellow, frazzled parents...overheated kids, too much corndog-on-a-stick or caramel-apple-on-a-stick stuck in our teeth, trying to keep track of our over-sugared offspring running madly between rides, dodging double-wide SUV strollers left and right.   It was awesome! And the best part of the "family nap" after we got home, totally beat from 99 degree temperatures.  

Oh, America in the daze of summer.  What could possibly compare to thee? 

Just watching the world go by

Hooting and hollering, loving it! 

Hi mommy! 

Trying to figure out the "safety" harnesses

The mini dragon roller coaster had Caleb white knuckling it, and Zoe had the hugest grin on her face.  I thought Caleb would be upset after getting off, but he took a big deep breath and said, "that was fun!" 

Lo mein - who knew? My kids adore all Asian food. Daddy enjoyed the Thai BBQ skewers. 

We were melting in the heat...but it was so worth the time.  I was unsuccessful in my quest for deep-fried Oreos after taking this pic, but learned from other fair-goers that they were in fact available, just hidden behind the falafel and Italian sub areas.  

Spin spin spin...who thought up the idea of funnel-cake + cotton candy + spinny rides that also hurtle around in a figure eight at the speed of light, geared towards small children and foolish adults? He-LLO puke central.