Going to the Fair:

It took us a min. to get out the door- it was a nice slow, easy morning while we were waiting for all of our arrivals. We packed up, and got the kids into two wagons. We decided that we had a train going, and had to screech and chug every time we came to a stop and start. We passed butterflies by flowers, and banana trees.

Snack Time:

We had water, fig newtons, and fruit leather as soon as we got to the fair. The kids got to munch and run around in an empty fair- nothing was open, and no other customers were there.

The Fair:

We found the cows first, in a back corner of the grounds. There were lots of Jerseys and Holsteins. The kids got to pet several of the cows- big ones and small ones alike. Addison was very reluctant, and would only reach her hand out for a split second touch. Sometimes the ones that were laying down would jump up when we touched them- which gave some of the kids a start! Then we found a petting zoo area with lots of different types of animals. They had bee hive right by the entrance. We saw goats, lamas, a zebra, rabbits, chickens, yaks, a turkey, peacock, and some ducks. Addison and Lily discovered that they could feed the goats hay and enjoyed that for a while. We bought some grain to feed to the animals and the ducks were the first lucky ones to get some. Draven made dear friends with this cow.

The Fair cont:

When we came around the exit of the petting zoo we discovered ponies! They had saddles and were offering pony rides! Every one of our kids got to ride on a pony through a short course. They all agreed that it was great fun, and some wanted to go again. We went into a room with an egg incubator and baby chicks, and several of our kids got to hold a baby chick! Right next to the pony rides was a second petting zoo for young children, that was much smaller. The animals inside the neighboring zoo were very friendly, and there was a very wide range of species. They had a camel, a pig, baby goats, rabbits, calves, and even a cuatimundi (Brazilian Raccoon-like rodent that looks like a monkey! It climbed onto Dalila's bag and tried to root around in our backpack while the kids pet him! Addison and Pearson tried to pick up the baby goat but it was just a little too big. This petting zoo was better because the kids could really get in there to touch the animals easily. The camel tried to eat Lily's bottle, so we had to shoo him away.

Coming Back:

Just before we left the fair, everyone got a bit of soft serve vanilla ice cream as a treat. The kids finished up their servings as we wheeled them back towards the school. We saw more butterflies and banana trees on the way back, and also saw a tulip poplar. Elijah's dad (who pulled a wagon back to school for us) got a leaf for each student, and they all let their wave in the wind as we moved along. This field trip was a piece of cake for the teachers- the kids were wonderful. Our camera died just before we left the fair, so we have no pictures from the rest of the day (sorry).

Rest Time/ Focused Work:

Elijah listened to his CD while working with some playdoh when we had a visitor come to the school. Lindsey went to lay down with the nappers while Dalila tended to our arrival, until the visit was over. When Pearson joined us they sat down to do some writing practice. Pearson practiced writing “Elijah” and “Morris” (his Morris was almost perfect!) and Elijah finished his number worksheets- 9 and 10. Then we all went outside where we found two bugs- one small mystery bug and one huge cockroach with shiny blue wings. We brought them inside to examine them.

Free Play:

This morning Draven discovered our Barbies hiding in a back closet- so she stayed in the closet pretty much all morning. Lily painted and drew on the chalkboard while we were getting ready. At the fair Elijah and Draven climbed to the top of some small bleachers. Addison and Pearson felt obligated to go to the top (because they are big, too) but it made them a bit nervous.

End of the Day:

There was a surprise for the kids- a second treat- cotton candy! Though Draven and Lily slept through the treat, we got it for them because Pearson had said that he had never tried cotton candy. At first he and Addison were a bit suspicious of it and didn't seem to think that it was really food. Soon they discovered all of the possibilities of playing with it.