State Fair 2015

School is coming,

and because Labor Day is arriving so late, school is coming early this year.

But before we surrender to the start of school, there is one last thing we must do:

tackle the Minnesota State Fair!

In true Johnson fashion, we made the trek twice this year.

Our first trip featured our favorite family-friendly activities.

Our second trip is always with MoMo and Papa, and features our favorite activities

to do with them (i.e. rides, animal barns, and milkshakes to name a few).

We had a great time perusing the docks and boat lifts on Machinery Hill:

The kids lent a hand at the Little Farm Hands Farm,

(note the height of the chickens: G-Bear is already too tall for the tractors,
and this was undoubtedly E-Bears final year.  At least the younger siblings will have
TWO helpers next year!)

and then they were rewarded with rocket pops for their hard work.

The Littlest Bear and I took note of a rather affirming sign,

and then we spent over an hour in the outdoor kids nature space next to the EcoExperience building, where the kids dug in the sand, played in the water, made buildings out of recycled boxes and made meatballs in the dirt.  They were dubbed "coyote kids" and each got a paw print stamp.
It was a highlight for sure.

Then, we watched the parade,

ate pronto pups and shared a jumbo root beer,
(yes, there really is a jumbo root beer in there somewhere, along with four straws)

which we easily finished!

And even after still more walking and perusing,

this crew remained in high spirits

or at least willing to go with the flow.

Undaunted, we managed construction projects at Home Depot,
(checkout the hammering by J-Bear!)

and spent more than a little time being treated to rides at the Kidway by Papa and MoMo,
which included the bumper boats,

the tractors,

and the fabulous Lady Bugs,

which were truly, delightfully fast.

We entered a coloring contest at the Moo Booth,
(Buddy Bear and E-Bear would later learn that they were chosen as winners!)

 and  ended our days in the Alphabet Forest, which has become our tradition.

It is the perfect place to rest tired legs and unwind after a big day.

This year, the kids took time to write several letters,

including one that E-Bear wrote all by himself to Uncle C, letting him know that he hoped Uncle C would come to the Fair soon, "and please bring Aunt K."


G-Bear worked hard on the Alphabet Challenge,

and won an Alphabet Forest Blue Ribbon for her efforts.

 We mustn't forget to acknowledge that the award for Littlest Trooper and First Time at the Fair
goes to the Littlest Bear, as it was his first year at the Fair and he was truly a super-trooper both days.
Consider yourself inaugurated, Littlest!

After so much fun, we returned home exhausted, 

just in time for school to start tomorrow.

Time to snuggle into bed.

Thanks, Minnesota, for another great year at the Fair.

Happily Ever,

Queen B

State Fair Treats 2014

Yes, I dread the end of summer, but I love the Minnesota State Fair.

It is the bright spot at the end of my August.

This year, we got to go twice!

We woke up early for our first day.

We loaded up the Mundo with two backpack carriers, left the stroller at home, and biked to the Fair together.  It was a perfect morning for biking.  I love watching the priceless looks that T receives from onlookers as he rides by with all four kids on the bike.   The morning sun was shining and there was a cool breeze as we parked our bikes in the free bike corral.  It was a perfect day to be at the Fair!  Our three big kids marched in together holding hands.  Watching them, I was reminded that we have hit a stride as a family this summer.  I have loved having everyone home these past three months.  Most of all, I really feel that the kids have enjoyed and thrived with each other.  This was such a perfect picture crystalizing their relationships together.

We started at Little Farm Hands, because that is our kids' unanimous favorite (we had promised them rides later in the week when MoMo and Papa were along).  We hit two farming milestones this year.  J-Bear was big enough to farm herself (walking has its perks!), and G-Bear was too tall to ride the tractor.  Thank goodness that G-Bear is such a good sport.  She helped J-Bear by pushing her tractor instead.

Next on the list were the heavily anticipated Pronto Pups (and a turkey sandwich for E-Bear).  T treated the kids to a root beer. A few milks at the milk stand and we were all in heaven.

We were sure to try out the tractors in the tractor yards, visit the cows, color pictures at the Moo Booth, see the Big Pig and the piglets, read a few books in the Alphabet forest and watch the parade.  Our favorite new find was the sand, water and nature kids' playground outside the EcoExperience building.  This natural playspace was full of fun ideas for me and hours of fun for our kids.

 At the end of our first day, we headed home around dinner time, piled on our bikes with sore legs but full of happy memories.  E-Bear asked me if my legs hurt from walking, and I replied, "yes, but I am happy to have sore legs in exchange for such a fun day with our family."  All the kids had been such troopers on such a long day.  J-Bear and Buddy Bear had walked or been carried on our backs all day with no nap, and G-Bear and E-Bear walked the whole Fair day.  I was impressed.

Forty-eight hours later, we braved driving rain to return to the Fair for a night of rides and games with MoMo, Papa and Uncle C.  We would not be deterred by rain!  Between rain storms, we were able to fit in a ton of rides and fun.  We made the most of a stormy night!

G-Bear on the Bumper Boats

 The Bumper Boats were a huge hit.  

E-Bear on the Bumper Boats

 Buddy Bear's smiles said it all.

J-Bear was perfectly content to hang with her dad and watch the excitement.  There are so many fun sights and sounds at the Kidway!

Each of the kids got to choose three rides, a gift from Papa and MoMo.  They chose the bumper boats, motorcycles, a roller coaster, and soaring gliders.  I got to ride the airplanes with Buddy Bear.  We had so much fun!

After they had chosen all their rides, Papa offered to take all the kids on the Ferris Wheel.  What a treat!  They got to see the Fair from the highest point at the Kidway.  

T and I are amazed each year by how enthusiastic, delighted and grateful our kids are when MoMo and Papa treat them to the rides at the Kidway.  We know these moments are fleeting and won't last forever, so we are soaking up the memories.  

We grabbed a milkshake at the cow barn before we headed home for the night, this time on the bus.  I said I liked biking to the Fair the best.  The kids liked riding the bus.  Good thing we went twice.  

Happily Ever,

Queen B

State Fair Highlights

In case anyone was wondering, 

we did make it to the State Fair this year,

twice.

People have asked us if we are crazy.

"You went TWICE?!  With all FOUR kids?!"

What can we say?

We're Fair people.

Our tricks are as follows:

-Be prepared.  Snacks, water bottles, hats, sunscreen, and baby carriers are essentials.

-Start early! It gets crowded later in the day when nap time crabbies are peaking.

-Get an early treat or snack.  No one likes walking the fair with a grumbling tummy.

-Hit the kid highlights, on a weekday if possible.  There are so many great, education kid activities at the Minnesota State Fair.

-Hit the road mid-afternoon and eat a light, healthy dinner at home.  By that time you have walked off the early day Fair food and tummies are ready for a change of pace.

The kids had a great time at the Kidway with MoMo and Papa.  They each got to choose 3 rides, which built up just enough anticipation without going overboard.  G-Bear and E-Bear loved riding the flying gliders together!

 Next came the Bumper Boats!

Buddy Bear hopped right in behind his siblings.

His face said it all: "Me, ready? I was born for this."

When Buddy Bear was crushed that he couldn't ride the roller coaster with G-Bear and E-Bear, Papa took him on a "Bouncy Car" ride.  It was hard to tell who had more fun:

 In reality, the rides were a very brief part of our Fair tour this year.  We visited the fabulous Alphabet Forest twice, spending over an hour there each time.  There were name necklaces to make, alphabet wheels to color, postcards to write, and lots of wonderful books to read, all in the shade!  

We also visited the LEGO construction tent, watched the parade, saw all the animals, tried our hand at farming at the Little Farm Hands farm (twice!), watched spinning wheel and woodworking demonstrations and saw a dog show.  What's not to love about all that?!  

While it is always sad to say goodbye to the Fair for another year, I have no doubt that after the fun of our trips this year, my kids will be just as excited as T and me to head to the Fair next summer.  That is a great thing, because as I said, we're Fair people.

State Fair Fun 2012

Nothing helps our family get ready for fall like the Minnesota State Fair!

After reluctantly missing the Fair last year due to our cross country move, we were back in force for 2012.  Thanks to MoMo and Papa, who coordinated so much of the festivities, to Uncle C, and to Uncle T and Aunt K, who brought the cousins to share in the fun-on-a-stick.  

MoMo and Papa were thrilled to have their whole crew in tow!

We couldn't visit the Swine Barn this year because of the dangers of Swine Flu, but we had a great time mooing in the Cow Barn, watching the horse shows at the Coliseum, climbing the tractors on Machinery Hill and, of course, riding the rides at the Kidway.

E-Bear loved the bouncing tractors,

everyone loved the Dora swings,

Cousin H and Uncle T drove circles around the other drivers,

Aunt K and Cousin T hitched a ride on a tractor,

and before the day was over, G-Bear convinced her dad to join her on the whirling beetle bugs!

Buddy Bear liked his ride the best.  It came with a nice view of the Fair!

Perhaps you can tell that we spent more time riding rides this year than in years past.  I guess we have hit that stage!  *Sigh.*  Not that I am anti-rides, but I still hope for a day when my Bears are excited to join me in the Education, Ecology and Home Improvement buildings.  Ha!

Of course we nibbled some treats throughout the day, despite the heat and crowds.  There is nothing like a Pronto Pup at the Fair, right Cousin T?

It was another great year at the Minnesota State Fair!  Until next year.....