Let me start by saying that after working for 5 days at the fair we were all looking forward to Derrick's final day on Saturday. Everytime he talked about the fair my mouth watered and by the time he made it home he was utterly exhausted from being on his feet all day handing out pine trees and small talking with strangers. Riley and I planned on getting up early and leaving with him at 8:00 on Saturday but when I was woke up by Derrick to say a quick goodbye there was no baby hand off and he told me Riley was still sleeping so after another hour I awoke and was shocked that it was nearly 9:30...I checked on the little man every 5 minutes but he didn't stir until nearly 10:00! D thought I slept through him getting up but my hips were in serious pain from sleeping so much so I didn't really ever fall back asleep. Guess he just wanted to rest up for our weekend!? We finally did make it to the fair around 1:30 or so and we brought Kyle along with us who hasn't been since 4th grade!
We walked around til nearly 6:30 and did/saw everything. Riley sat on nearly every John Deere tractor, we walked into every cute little cabin/fish house, we stared at cars we can't afford, sat in line for pickles, cookies, curds, pronto pups and water and finally walked through the Little Farm Hands display...FUN, FUN, CUTE and more FUN! Riley looked so cute in his little apron walking around with his bucket. He collected veggies at one station, eggs and chicken feed at another, fruit at another and eventually sorted it all out and got paid to buy anything at the market. He had a blast and it was so fun watching him learn with his bucket in hand.
We were wiped out and ready to get to bed early as Daddy had a fun day planned for us on Sunday...
He started out with buying us breakfast Sunday morning. Riley loves blueberry pancakes and the evidence showed all day long...(why can't I remember to ask for a disposable bib!?) and from there we headed into WI for a morning of animal petting and feeding. We saw/petted/fed everything from deer roaming free around the grounds to skunks, porcupines, racoons, bunnies, a fox, a lynx, wolves, beers, a cougar, ponies, goats, beavers, badgers, elk and more! Riley was in love with the animals and happily skipped along with the feed bag in his hand eagerly awaiting the okay from Mommy and Daddy to get some treats for the next furry friend. He wasn't hesitant or scared but instead followed our lead and insisted on feeding the 'babies.' He even had his first pony ride!
We rode along the countryside enjoying the lakes and scenery and it was recommended that we stop at the Pea Pickin Flea Market. Neither of us had ever been so we checked it out. After about 10 minutes I felt like I was crawling with fleas and was rather weirded out by the whole scene. D felt the same way and we are thinking that maybe this country market is a little different and brings out a different cliental? Needless to say we walked out empty handed and used some hand sanitizer pronto! Riley stayed awake for the ride back home and we all enjoyed a 2 hour nap followed by a walk, games and book reading.
Monday I did work for a quick 4 hours and was home in time for another quick nap this time Riley talked us into letting him into our bed. We couldn't resist his pleas! We hung around the house cleaning up the inside and outside before meeting up with the Hutchie sibs for an early dinner.
It was the most fun we have had since (probably last weekend ; ) and Riley was ready to see his Nana again today! He missed her so! Goodbye State Fair and see ya next year! Hello Fall and welcome back a little early. We have big plans of enjoying you during this last orange, red and yellow season as a family of 3. I have a sort of baby bucket list in my head of everything I want to enjoy, experience and commit to memory before this next baby comes. Time is already flying by and we are soaking up our time with our little man as our only child.
