What does one do when they have artist's block? Pack up the family and head to the Santa Cruz County Fair, that's what?
Welcome back. Today, we played it smart. We got up early (7am), took showers, ate breakfast, and head out to the fair grounds. The plan was to get there at 9:30, get close parking spots, and jam out by noon... or 1pm the latest to avoid the heat, and the crowd.
The fair is pretty much for Lizzie (our daughter), because our job as parents is to make sure we keep her safe, and a smile on her face. What made this time special was that G.G. came with us. This is a blue moon, because she does not get out much, and the kid always wants her to come with us, so that's why it was special for Lizzie.
Once in, we walked the strip, and checked out what food stands were there so we had a plan for lunch as we made our way to the opposite end of the fair to meet and greet the animals. Lizzie is a true animal lover. So... Lizzie got to ride a pony, pet the goats, and fed the donkeys, sheep, and pigs. We actually got Lizzie to pose with a turkey outside at the pheasant house. After using the bathrooms, we washed our hands and headed towards lunch.
Back on the strip, the family headed towards the food tent we picked. On the way there, we ran into a lady in a tiny cartoon truck holding a blue bear puppet. Lizzie loves stuffed animals, so she immediately ran to her. The lady was really good making this blue bear animated and magical for Lizzie, so I took the iPhone and snapped a picture (look above). I almost forgot, we also bought Lizzie her traditional watermelon/strawberry mixed ice. For lunch we decided on getting "Dinosaur" fries and nachos, before we hit some carnie rides.
After fueling up, we hit the rides, before we decided to leave. Lizzie got the courage to go in a blown up bubble and play over the water (pic above). We have seen these before at circuses and other fairs, but Lizzie was super timid at the time. The results, she flipped off her cowgirl boots and hopped right in. Lizzie's courage spiked even further and decided to get strapped into bungee cord, and jump 25ft into the air (picture above). It's like today she had no fear. It was if she was trying to jump to the moon. After this ride, Lizzie tells us she doesn't like her jump house at home, she like the one at the fair, lol. We did one more ride, a three story slide, and she went on it twice. Once with me, and the second with mom. There must be a expiration date regarding age, because when I went down the slide with Lizzie, my stomach turned with the Dinosaur Fries as we hit mock 3. The slide had "3" jumps. On the second jump, the kid and I caught air and my ass hit back down on the slide pretty good. We came to the end with a smooth stop.
Our judgment for leaving around noon to one p.m. was on Que. By the time we left it got hot, and it got packed with the locals. As we exited we saw the blow up alien Lizzie wanted, and she won it by taking the sledge hammer, and smacking the bottom to ring the bell. She named her green alien, "Buddy." When we asked, "Why?" Our three year old daughter said this, "I need a buddy to sleep with me at night to scare away all the monsters.
As we got home, Lizzie runs in her room with her 5 foot buddy, and places him next to her bed to stand guard at night.
What an amazing kid I have. Next week is her forth birthday. So we plan on going to the Mystery Spot in Santa Cruz. And buying Lizzie a specialty cupcake instead of a birthday cake (Lizzie's request).
Take care everyone!
~D
Looks like a great time!!!
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