Last weekend was the last three days of the Arizona State Fair and the weekend before Daddy's field exercise. Since they would miss the day off for Veteran's Day while in the field, they were given Friday the 6th off to make up for it. So we decided to go up to Phoenix that day, hit the fair, stay overnight at a hotel (one of Drew's favorite activities), and do some Christmas shopping on Saturday.
Bill had to clean out some Army gear from his car before we left and Drew took a liking to Bill's binoculars.
After a short shopping and lunch break in Tucson as well as a nap by Drew in the car (thank the Lord for small miracles), we arrived at the fair around two in the afternoon. We headed for the animal barns first. Here's Drew feeding some goats. He thought it was quite hilarious how eager some of the goats were, including these two that kept jumping all over Daddy.
This is Drew petting a baby chick that was hatched just that morning.
And Drew with a larger bird. He kept talking about how he saw a turkey just like the ones they drew at school with their hands.
After seeing (and smelling) enough livestock to last us until next fair season, we headed for some rides. At the mini bumper cars, it was no surprise that Drew chose the blue #4 car. His favorite color and his age? What other choice could there have been?
Drew looking very focused driving his bumper car. It's serious business you know.
Here's Drew and Dad on the Skyride that took us from one end of the fair to the other.
Mom & Drew on the Skyride with some of the very healthy (insert sarcasm) treats to eat in the background.
On our walk back to the other end of the fair we stopped to get a little snack near the kids' play area. Drew jumped from the hay bales to the big blocks for a good 30 minutes. Who knew it could be so much fun?
Drew had gone down the regular Super Slide by himself as one of his first rides, but when we saw the "super big" slide he and Daddy took a ride down that as well.
I'm not much for rides, but the Merry Go Round I always enjoy. So here's us on the carousel.
Drew & Dad on the Dizzy Dragons
Drew on the mini swings
A very excited Drew waving to Mom & Dad
When we had seen the very tall "Freefall" ride earlier in the day Drew had asked if he could go on it. We explained that it was only for big people, but near the end of the night when we saw the mini freefall ride, Drew put on his brave face and asked again if he could go on it. I was afraid he wouldn't like it, but there was no telling this boy no. Here he is strapped in and ready to go...
And here he is screaming "DADDY, IT'S SCARY! DADDY STOP IT!"
After he got off he softened a little saying that it was only a little bit scary but also a little bit fun. I suspect he won't be too anxious for a repeat ride on one of those for a while.
On our walk to the car we saw that the Ham Bone Express show was due to start in a few minutes, and really, what fair experience is complete without greasy food, mullets, and racing pigs? So we watched a couple of races and then said goodbye to the fair for this year.
Here's Drew waiting at a crosswalk on Dad's shoulders. Shockingly he managed to stay awake and be quite a little gentleman when we decided to have dinner down the road from our hotel at Ruth's Chris Steakhouse. It was a delicious meal and a great way to end our day.
