State Fair

Janet loves the state fair with its crowds, food, rides and people watching. Mark could care less so we have yet to go to the fair together. However, this was Quinten's 2nd Ohio State Fair. I first took him along with cousins Megan and Sarah when he was just under a year. It was blistering hot and the stroller thermometer registered over 100 degrees. I kept putting water on Quinten and kept everyone drinking until we left after a couple of hours and about $100 later! This year, I thought I was so much smarter. Knowing that Quinten would only last so long and not wanting to succumb to anyone else's time lines, we went alone. I packed drinks, snacks and lunch. Put his sunscreen on before we left the house so it would be on the ~30 minutes before sun for maximum protection. It was a great plan until Quinten rubbed some in his eye just as we pulled into the parking lot. He started screaming. He cried for at least 30 minutes and there was no soothing him. I did think at least he is crying as that will wash away the sunscreen. Of course, he kept rubbing his eyes which probably did not make it any better. I was unable to walk far holding a 30# child and pulling the wagon so he had to ride in it most of that time. A nice vendor gave him a balloon which calmed him for about 30 seconds. We made it to the back and Kiddy Land. He said he wanted to ride the merry-go-round so I bought the $20 unlimited ride bracelet. The horses start to ride and he is crying again "Make it stop". All I can think is poor guy and we have been here for less than 30 minutes; he has not stopped crying; and I have already spent $28!. We went into some building where he calmed down. He was wearing his sunglasses but Quinten is sensitive to the light like his mommy. When we came out I saw a boat and suggested that we go on it. I never thought about his size and ride minimums! Luckily, he made them by ~1" and I could go on most of them with him. We buckle into the boat anticipating a nice rocking ride. After 2 sways, the boat goes higher and higher and starts twisting and turning. Quinten starts screaming at the top of his lungs "Make it stop". I was not feeling like the world's best mommy and all I wanted was a great Quinten and mommy day. He did settle, rode a ton of rides, went to the petting zoo and did not want to leave. As I was pulling him in the wagon, I thought-he is pretty quiet. Sound asleep in the wagon clutching the last of the pizza slice I bought him. After all his trauma, I did not make him eat his healthy lunch packed for the occasion. That night at dinner Quinten went on and on telling his daddy about the fun he had at the fair. The end result is what I wanted though it took some perseverance to get it!