County Fair 2008

We went to the County Fair on Saturday. Everything has gotten so expensive. Luckily, the kids like the free fun. We love seeing all the animals. Last year a chick hatched right in front of Kieran. There are so many types of bunnies. Thank goodness they didn't have the sign from last year that said something like "meat stock". That took a lot of explaining. We pet the llamas, calves and horses. There was a parrot club in the San Diego Pavilion that let us hold their Cockatoos and a green Eclectus named "Toby".

The boys new favorite thing is a demolition derby. haven't been to one of those since Ascot was still around. And we watched people ride on the big fire truck.

I think they like each other (today).

All three had an art project in the Kids' Best area.

If there isn't a steer to rope, a sister will do just fine.

Feet of Flames/Walking on Sunshine

Not exactly what Mr. Flatley or Katrina was talking about but it sure felt like it.

Last weekend was "Feis at the Fair". It's one of the few Irish Dance competitions in these parts that is outside. The average weather for the end of June is the mid-80's. Warm yes, but all dance floors are covered. Since this feis is at the Irish Fair there is an abundance of cooling yummy things to eat and drink. What a fun venue you say. Not this year. The temperature just kept rising and topped out at 106 degrees (by our car thermometer) by the time we left. The competition organizers first allowed long sleeved shirts removed. One dance later and all costumes were optional. All of the competitors should have been given a special prize just for sticking it out. They were all champions under these circumstances.

Surprisingly, I didn't here one siren. My retired EMT ear just expects someone to drop from the heat.

Kendra didn't place in any of her dances this time. Kyle moved up in two of his. He is now a Novice in his reel and single jig.

Good Times

So we went I was kidnapped to the "property" on Thursday and stayed over night. Thursday was the beginning of a major heat wave in San Diego County. That was OK though because Paul had a plan. He bought a small air conditioner and some tubing to cool the tent. The thing he didn't take into consideration was the wind. When we put the rain fly on to seal the tent up nice and tight it collapsed. No sealed tent = no air conditioning. Did I mention it was 98 degrees?

The kids kept cool in the pool though.

They also loved riding unrestrained in the back of the truck, shooting a handgun and having an open fire. Just trying for our white trash family of the year award.

With the shower and bathroom facilities it really wasn't so bad.

There's the shower over Kyle's shoulder.

Mommy Thoughts

Two things:

1. Have you ever noticed all the weird stuff on the side or median of the freeway? If I'm not the driver, and sometimes when I am and we're crawling along, I stare aimlessly out of the window. And there's all this stuff. Mostly it's just the trash some anti-eco-friendly person has tossed out the window. But then, the random shoe and it's always just one. Or the lost couch cushion. Toys. Did they get launched by a mother at the end of her rope? I know of one pair of Ninja Turtle shoes that a Mother who shall remain nameless April launched out the window. Lots of construction worker hard hats. Don't they notice when their heads get cold? Car bumpers, usually with the license plate still attached. Plastic white patio chairs. I even saw a dead horse once. In Santa Barbara County. You know, where Oprah lives. Not on some backwoods road. It's just weird. Take a look next time you're in traffic.

2. Everyone knows that avocados will ripen in a brown paper bag. Did you know that if you forget the bag full of avocados your sister gave you and leave them in the car, they'll ripen wayyyy faster?

The Innocence of Childhood

Friday, Kieran brought a book home from school. It's all about balloon projects. Things like taping an empty balloon to a paper airplane. Then you blow the balloon up and quickly let the air out. It's supposed to shoot the paper airplane across the room.
His project this morning was called a "Flying Banana". It makes you wonder if the authors of the book really took a close look at this project. You know somewhere a parent with no sense of humor is offended.

It's A Jungle Out There

Last night was the grand finale of the 2nd grade play. The kids did four performances in two days.



Stop and smell the flowers




Going bananas.



Every thing is funny to the hyenas.

Now, on to the Talent Show. Kyle and Kendra are doing a reel.