So instead of the fair

So instead of the fair today we decided to actually USE our Six Flags passes and venture into "Marine World." It was a beautiful day  and Im not sure if it was because today was the last day for the county fair or what but the crowds were at a minimum and we didn't miss it one bit!

And we were SUPER excited to find out that there were two new additions to the Dolphin pool!! How absolutely precious!!!!

The boys had a lot of fun messing around on the bumper cars!

And we have never seen as many Butterflies as there were today in the Butterfly Exhibit

My handsome guy!!

As if this day couldn't have been more beautiful, we are being doubly blessed with this amazing cool evening. Dining on our balcony and enjoying the sweet breeze!

So turns out doing the dishes ain't so bad after all.

So this evening, as every evening in the history of man and woman, I made dinner. Dun dun dunnn... Along with dinner comes dirty dishes, and although I don't mind doing dishes per say, on this particular night I got to thinking. Hmmm I thought up dinner, I prepared dinner (and I did ask for help but was promptly declined) I even made dinner "appear" on the table. So cleverly with grin attached I simply threw out that perhaps "HE" should do the dishes. In which aforementioned "HE" thought I was joking. Ha, no. Which was followed by mild complaints from the one who dished up thirds to my single portion. "Doing dishes makes my back hurt" WAIT! What? Shoot, why hadn't I thought of that one growing up?? "Sorry Dad, you know I want to but this fifth grade homework is a real killer and my back just can't take standing at the sink." Pshh I know why I hadn't thought of (at least) saying that one out loud. Uhm.. Because I wanted to be ALIVE. But apparently I don't evoke that same fear into my partner. So I shot back some off handed remarks of the things that I really just can't do because they hurt my back too now that I think of it. *Remarks that are just totally inappropriate outside of our two earshot's.

He not thinking that I was too funny started his whole "You don't understand how difficult my job is and standing for long periods of time kill my back..."

On a side note. He works very hard and his job is LABOR intensive. Bottom line I could never do it, like EVER. I don't want to, I don't have to and Im NEVER gonna. But lets face it when have I ever not had something to say?

So back to our discussion on dishes, which he is in fact doing during this moment of "communication". Directly behind me is our kitchen table. Seated at our kitchen table is the seven year old who on average takes about TWO HOURS to finish dinner, breakfast in five minutes but dinner is almost ALWAYS two hours. So like I was saying, behind me is the seven year old who at this moment is getting up from the table. And then I hear it. That cough, the cough EVERY mother knows. The cough the includes food and lots of it. So now lets just say his hands are full. I already know what happened before I even have to turn around. I transplant the child to our lovely simple human (garbage can) and turn to "HE" aka Nick and let him know that I can do the dishes!!! He says "No, that's all right. I got this"

=( So from my view, which is all fours on the carpet scrub brush in hand. Dishes. Eh, dishes ain't so bad.

To Fair or not to fair...

Growing up every Summer my family would visit the fair, whether it be our own counties fair or one in the various other counties my mother worked in. But the memories alone of walking with my family exploring all the sights, sounds, smells and of course carnies bring a smile to my face. As a child I hated being slowly dragged through the long, boring and SMELLY animal exhibits. Staring at the stinky cows that just stood there batting flies with their tales. The pigs sprawled out in a corner of their pin and the sheep standing in line to have their coats sheared. Oh gosh it was HORRIBLE, but for some ungawdly reason my mother lived for this EVERY summer.

And as this too is burned into my cerebral cortex I find myself drawn to dragging my child(ren) down this very same road. Im not sure if it is the addicting waft or the need to offer a "because I had too when I was your age" experience that draws, a mother, to force her children to enjoy. Although my mother was more along the lines of "outdoorsy, tomboy" and more then likely dreampt of the thrills of living the life that is the farm. I am more of a "cotton candy nail polish with a splash of picnic at the park" kinda mom. I think it comes down to bringing your children to experiences that you may/can not normally take your children too. And although we have a cute as a button farm here in this itty bitty city by the bay, it does not house the lengths that are offered at our local county fair.

Growing up the fair was quite the affair, lasting in lengths of up to two weeks as memory recalls. And boasting several incentive days in which fair admission and "unlimited ride" wristbands were discounted. But clearly times have changed. I noticed just yesterday that our local fair was in town... For only FOUR DAYS! What?Along with that news was the cost. While we have season passes to the Theme Park directly across the street, which basically brings the cost to practically nothing to visit (after initial purchase) a visit to the fair for the day will set our little family back roughly $76 before anyone gets thirsty or even dare to smell cinnamon rolls. With wrist bands starting at $25 each, in which we will inevitably only purchase two (one for Shane of course and one for Nick so he can accompany Shane on rides that are larger), admission comes to $20 for our family of three and $6 parking. And to think all I wanted to do was look at some livestock.

So I've been juggling this idea in my head for a couple days now. Planning our weekend and seeing what day (granted there are now only two to choose from) would be best to go to the fair. I just keep thinking about this $100+ Im going to spend. True they offer a firework display, and there is no argument that fireworks are cool. But we will most likely go on Sunday translating to no fireworks for us because it isn't even dark out until after 9pm and we are "like totally" NOT staying out that late =) So... $100? Really?? That is until I had this fabulous thought. "Doesn't Napa have a fair?" Why yes, yes they do! And it happens to be the following weekend. Although we have plans for that weekend, the starting date is Thursday, July 1st. Which also happens to be a discounted admission date bringing that total to $6 for us. And on their website they boast advance ticket sales where the cost of their wristbands are are discounted $10 to only $15 each!! With that and parking we are looking at $41 before snacking our way through the midway!!!! And "this" makes me very happy, which lets face it, that alone ensures us all a good time!!