$0 spent

Last year we took the kids to opening day of the fair with the goal of doing minimal damage to the pocketbook.

Today, the girls and I went back with the goal of spending $0.

That's right: $0 spent.*

There is actually quite a lot to see and do at the fair, and if you get their early it's not insanely busy.

we had ring-side seats for pig racing, the highlight of the day

I had to make sure Kaitlyn understood the rules before going. She begrudgingly agreed.

Apparently a fair without rides, is better than no fair at all.

We headed out early to get a free parking space in downtown and walked to the fairgrounds.

Baby pigs at the fair were a big hit with the girls

It was really nice because we weren't rushing around to see everything.

We did things like stop to see the Amtrak train go by.

We sat down and watched the livestock auction.

Katie was captivated. We ended up staying and watching this for longer than I would have ever expected.

And of course there was Muttin' Bustin' -- kids under 6 and 60 lbs. trying to ride sheep.

I asked Katie if she wanted to try. She declined.

Our friends Zach and Dylan did it earlier in the week. I so wished we could have seen them do it.

I bribed the kids to walk back to the car with some cookies.

We're actually headed back to the fair again tomorrow if you can believe it. Katie has a tap performance. Also, we'll be with Mr. Pork-Chop-on-a-Stick (a.k.a. Papa), so I'm guessing it won't be a free day. But oh well, at least today was.

* While kids under 6 are free, adults are not so here I have to thank the VCF and my editor for a courtesy press pass.

it's raining cookies

Feeling a little under the weather + lots of time in the house with the Little Wickies = mad baking in our house this week.

It's also been an exceptionally cool summer making turning on the oven not a big deal.

It was like a perfect storm.

We made the perennial favorite cowgirl cookies.

AND sugar cookies.

We use Martha's cookie and royal icing recipes (haven't found a better or easier one yet).

I love our cowgirl cookie recipe which I've adapted somewhat through time. It has a lot of cinnamon and I use part whole wheat flour (you can't even tell).

Cowgirl Cookies (Oatmeal Chocolate Chip)

1 C. butter

1 C. brown sugar

1/2 C. sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp. vanilla

1 C. all purpose flour

1/2 C. whole wheat flour

1 tsp. baking soda

2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. salt

3 C. oats

1-1/2 C. chocolate chips (we probably end up using 2 C. b/c that's how we roll when it comes to chocolate)

1 C. raisins (optional)

1. preheat oven to 350 degrees

2. Beat butter & sugars

3. Add eggs & vanilla; beat well

4. Mix flours, baking soda, cinnamon and salt in a separate bowl

5. Add flour mixture to wet mixture

6. Stir in chocolate chips and raisins

7. Drop rounded tablespoons

8. Bake approximately 10 minutes

I hope I feel better soon so I can run some of these cookie calories off otherwise I'll be in trouble!

mo the next sally ride?

Maddie is a non-eater.

Her daily intake often consists of something like:

- 5 Puffins for breakfast

- 1 piece of deli meat (the thin 10-calorie kind) and 1 cracker for lunch

- 1/2 yogurt and a 4 good mouthfuls of rice for dinner

- milk

The only thing she will eat regularly are these.

She will eat anything in a pouch. (Yes, the green one in back is broccoli, peas and pears.)

I've been looking for a pouch with protein in it -- maybe a pate version?

Perhaps I need to explore purchasing astronaut food. Anyone know a good place to buy astronaut food cheaply?

I've also been exploring how I might make my own pouches 'o food because these things are pricey.

Oh little Mo, just eat something...

from the land of fried & frozen food

In what is fast becoming tradition, we were at the gates of the fair on opening day -- actually opening minute -- last week.

And, I'll say it again.

This girl...

loves rides.

The only possible way to make rides more fun?

Friends.

I was possibly most pleased with the fact that she met the minimum 42-inch requirement which meant I didn't have to go on rides like this one.

She has been on ump-teen carousels by now in her short life, but it never fails to please.

Katie swore up and down that she remembered from last year the humongous yo-yo ride had a 40-inch minimum requirement.

I kept telling her, "I'm not sure honey, it's awfully big."

Alas, we reached the ride this year and the minimum height requirement was 44 inches. (Thank goodness, because that thing is BIG and goes up WAY high.)

Instead she got her swinging fill on smaller versions.

And, what is better than a girl who won a stuffed panda in a game?

Two girls who won pandas in carnival games of course.

For more details of our adventure you can check out the article I wrote for the local paper here.

i am a robot

maddie's circus party

A circus party ensued in honor of the baby turning two this weekend.

We borrowed parachutes from friends to give the illusion of being under the big top.

There were games.

I had to convince Miyo to help me make the lion game toss because I cannot draw worth a lick.

Miyo: It's just shapes, you can do it.

Me: Just get over here and draw me a lion.

And, of course there was circus paraphernalia for all.

My attempt at a carousel cake.

Maddie really liked the singing of 'Happy Birthday'.

Love that happy little face.

Happy faces eating cake.


And, we were treated to Mica's juggling talents.

He asked Katie to toss him a pin which we all thought was a bad idea hence Mica ducking for his life...

More pics from the photo "booth."