Each year, the Texas state fair organizers offer free tickets to school age children - public and private. The tickets are only valid on Thursday's. Armed with our 4 free student tickets, 1 free teacher ticket, and 2 bottles of Coca-Cola (Thursday is also Coke day where you can get in for $6 with an empty coke bottle), we headed out early for the state fair.
Our plan was to stop at JoAnn's for the supplies I needed for cake decorating class. Half way to town, we received a call from our realtor that someone wanted to look at our house this afternoon. So we turned around and headed back home to make the house presentable. As everyone who's every sold a house while living it knows, normal morning cleanings don't pass the inspection of potential buyers.
We couldn't reschedule our state fair trip as Craig had already taken the day off, piano lessons were already rescheduled, and it was the last week for the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp. So, we prepared the house and started off again. After stopping at JoAnn's, we decided an early lunch in the car was preferred to carrying the lunch bag into Fair Park.
We started off with a visit to the Chevy center where the younger ones "test drove" a Chevy.
Our next stop was the little farm...
After the chickens, comes feeding and milking the cows. There is a milking simulations game which lets the kids feed how the milking machines feel to a cow. Then, they get to try milking using a milking machine.
The next stop on their journey through the farm is in the garden where they plant a seed, water it, and then harvest their vegetables.
No farm is complete without a tractor!!
When the kids are finished working on the farm, they sort their harvests and are given "Farm Bucks" which they can spend at the farm store for snacks. This year, we selected trail mix and gummy candies.
Across the street from the farm is the "Petting Zoo". Some of these animals are really meant to be touched. Some are just really cool to look at so close together.
An up close look at the baby giraffe!! Very very cool!!
Then, there was the up close look and touch of the zebra's. Also very cool, if only Dad would let me get closer!
The main event for us is the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp. They are only at the fair for 2 weeks. They march in with a police escort. We elected to sit in the shade, mostly for the comfort of N. Well, our selected seat was right next to where the motorcycle policemen parked. How awesome is that?
After the performance, we were invited to visit with the band members. Z took full advantage of this and shook hands with every single drum player. He asked the bass drum players questions about the mallets and they asked him if he thought he was strong enough to carry the drum. Of course, his answer was Yes. So guess what the drummers decided to do........
..... I think this was the highlight of the fair this year!! The Marine band is just the coolest!!
Our next stop was Mother Goose story time and then the Backyard Circus.
A was a Butterfly Ballerina. S was the faithful assistant.
and Z was the Amazing Flying man!! He was very cool about putting on the costume. Unfortunately, he wasn't part of the circus itself because someone else had already asked. The circus lady was great about it and she let him dress up and climb in for a picture - which I think was all he really cares about.
We stayed and watched the parade and then headed home.
Other highlights of the day - cotton candy is delicious!! and the puzzle man is still around. We purchased puzzle #6 from him this year. He has made name puzzles for all the kids. It was a great day!!
Our plan was to stop at JoAnn's for the supplies I needed for cake decorating class. Half way to town, we received a call from our realtor that someone wanted to look at our house this afternoon. So we turned around and headed back home to make the house presentable. As everyone who's every sold a house while living it knows, normal morning cleanings don't pass the inspection of potential buyers.
We couldn't reschedule our state fair trip as Craig had already taken the day off, piano lessons were already rescheduled, and it was the last week for the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp. So, we prepared the house and started off again. After stopping at JoAnn's, we decided an early lunch in the car was preferred to carrying the lunch bag into Fair Park.
We started off with a visit to the Chevy center where the younger ones "test drove" a Chevy.
Our next stop was the little farm...
At the little farm, the little farmers get to "work" for their food. They start by getting their work buckets and aprons. Then, it's onto the feed barn to get food for the animals.
Their 1st stop is the water the fruit trees and then harvest their fruits. Next comes feeding the chickens and gathering eggs.
After the chickens, comes feeding and milking the cows. There is a milking simulations game which lets the kids feed how the milking machines feel to a cow. Then, they get to try milking using a milking machine.
The next stop on their journey through the farm is in the garden where they plant a seed, water it, and then harvest their vegetables.
No farm is complete without a tractor!!
When the kids are finished working on the farm, they sort their harvests and are given "Farm Bucks" which they can spend at the farm store for snacks. This year, we selected trail mix and gummy candies.
Across the street from the farm is the "Petting Zoo". Some of these animals are really meant to be touched. Some are just really cool to look at so close together.
An up close look at the baby giraffe!! Very very cool!!
Then, there was the up close look and touch of the zebra's. Also very cool, if only Dad would let me get closer!
The main event for us is the Marine Drum and Bugle Corp. They are only at the fair for 2 weeks. They march in with a police escort. We elected to sit in the shade, mostly for the comfort of N. Well, our selected seat was right next to where the motorcycle policemen parked. How awesome is that?
After the performance, we were invited to visit with the band members. Z took full advantage of this and shook hands with every single drum player. He asked the bass drum players questions about the mallets and they asked him if he thought he was strong enough to carry the drum. Of course, his answer was Yes. So guess what the drummers decided to do........
Our next stop was Mother Goose story time and then the Backyard Circus.
A was a Butterfly Ballerina. S was the faithful assistant.
We stayed and watched the parade and then headed home.
Other highlights of the day - cotton candy is delicious!! and the puzzle man is still around. We purchased puzzle #6 from him this year. He has made name puzzles for all the kids. It was a great day!!
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