Kansas State Fair

We ventured out to the Kansas State Fair this past weekend. Gary and I haven't been for five years, and when we went back then we had severe allergies and couldn't taste or smell anything. Not smelling some things at the fair isn't a bad deal--but not being able to taste anything at the fair, that's just torture.

We were excited to take Caden this year-he's old enough to ride some of the rides, enjoys new things and loves seeing animals.

We first stopped in an 'exotic' animal petting zoo right near the front. There was a bit of a line and it wasn't moving very fast so we had to work at keeping his attention at the start but once it started moving along and he got to see and pet some of the unique animals he loved it.

After that stop we went through the rabbit and chicken barn on our way to the rides and let him run around, jumping in excitement at all the bunnies and chickens. His excitement is so refreshing. It's so easy to get busy, pass things by in life and not really see the joy in things. I'm so grateful to have Caden to give us that friendly reminder at how fun and exciting even the small things in life can truly be.

Caden is about three inches too short, and honestly probably a little too timid, to go solo on any of the rides so Gary and I took turns going with him. First we hit up some flying elephants, then a giant slide, got into a spinning strawberry, and a worm ride and then one last go-around on the slide before we left. Unfortunately the last slide bit ended up in him getting some slide burn, but he's a trooper and got right up and kept going.

We snuck in some healthy food fair in the middle and ended with a funnel cake, of course. You didn't really go to the fair if you don't get funnel cake...right? Caden was hesitant, and tired, towards the funnel cake at first but came around and ended up enjoying a good chunk of it.

We ended up staying a little over two hours, which was perfect timing for him at this age. I'm sure next year we'll be able to stay longer, depending on how the little babe handles it all, but for this year it was just right. Fun to get out and experience something different with him, especially at this age. His joy and excitement was ever present and we loved it!