Fun at the Fair

This past weeked the whole family went to the fair. It was Haeden's first real experience. He went two years ago, but at 6.5 months old, he wasn't exactly impressed. This year, however, he was flipping out (in a good way this time) the moment we got into the parking lot. It kind of reminded me of Templeton from Charlotte's Web, only it wasn't the food he was excited about, it was the rides.

It was a picture perfect day. The sky was blue, the air was crisp and the excitement was high. Haeden was doing all sorts of pointing and wowing on the way to the ticket booths. He didn't know exactly what he was in for, but apparently he knew he was about to have a good time.

Side note: Fairs are freaking expensive! We lucked out because all three kids were free, something about it being student day. And then again because neither of the older boys are into the rides. This is both good and bad. Good because it saves money (tickets are now $1 per person and even the kiddie rides are 3-5 tickets!) and bad because I, personally, LOVE to ride them and never have anyone to go with. Well, until now. Haeden is going to love the thrill rides. I can tell already. So, that's one reason to not mind him growing up so fast...

First thing we did was the train. He loved every minute of it.

Next we hit up the games. This is why the older boys come. Daniel was victorious this time. And poor Dan. He tried to play his favorite water race game and his gun didn't turn on. It was pretty funny  sad to watch the intense look of concentration on his face turn into disappointment when he realized there was no water coming out of his gun and somebody else won the game (pretty sure he has never lost that one). Luckily, that someone else was Daniel. Kid was on a roll. And Haeden made out like a bandit because he got all the winnings, of course.

Haeden's favorite ride was the carousel. This one was much faster than the one they have at the zoo. He was so excited that he started fist pumping and yelling, "My going FAST!!!"

Notice the fist.

And again with the fist. Couldn't you just die of the cuteness?

Later, we watched a little sideshow.

After the crazy mirrors, we slid down a huge slide. I'm so glad I put him on my lap because we slid down so fast I thought we were going to end up in the parking lot.  He, of course, wanted to do it again and since we were out of tickets, he pitched a fit.

No trip to the fair is complete without some family member pitching a fit. At least, not in my family. Cannot wait to do it again next year! And better yet, can't wait to take Haeden to Disney next year before his 3rd birthday (when they start charging admission for him). He is going to looove the rides and... meeting Mickey Mouse?! He might never come home!

He NEEDS It, You Guys

I made the easiest little snack (twice) this weekend and figured I would share. The munchkin and I had dinner at my mom's house Saturday night. Since I had to stop at the market on the way over, I decided to pick up the ingredients needed for this tasty little treat. Pretzels and Hershey's Kisses/ or Hugs.

Two ingredients. Satisfies salty and sweet cravings! Doesn't get much better than that!

Get started:

Grab a cookie sheet and preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Line it with parchment paper. Place desired number of pretzels on said sheet. Stick a Hershey's Kiss in the middle and put that baby in the oven for 2-3 minutes. Immediately after removal, place another pretzel on top of the kiss and make a delicious chocolate and pretzel sandwich. Then stick in the fridge for about 15-30 minutes while it cools and hardens.

See? So easy your toddler can help/ eat everything before and after you put it together.  Haeden's job was to place the kisses in the middle of the pretzel. Before he could even get started, he grabs a kiss, looks at me and says in the most pitiful voice, "Mommy, I NEED to eat this REALLY BAD!"

Kid's got a flare for the dramatic. He never "wants" anything, no, he "NEEDS" it!

A Very Happy Halloween

Halloween could not have been more fun. Although Haeden didn't have any idea what he was in for, he was raring to go as soon as we wrestled his costume on. We'd been telling him for the past week that candy was involved and that was all he really needed to know.

With all the post-work travel time and the need to eat dinner first, we didn't get dressed as early as we would have liked... which basically just means that we didn't have enough time to get any decent pictures. It was already almost dark when we ventured outside and Haeden was bouncing up and down with anticipation.

Mickey, Minne and Mini-Mickey Mouse! Props to Grandma Ellie for the costumes!

The look on his face when the first trick-or-treaters came walking up to the door. Priceless!

Mickey and Mommy Minnie

Does Dan not rock the hell out of those red pants? hehehe

Right before he tried to pick up that pumpkin next to him and knock over the rest of them...

The loot! We only let him have one piece last night, but he was already asking for more first thing this morning! He doesn't forget (candy) easily!

We really had a fantastic time last night. I knew it was going to go one of two ways. Either he'd be super into it and have a blast or he'd be totally freaked out by all of the people and cling to me for dear life the entire night. He was a trooper though. I only had to hold his hand when we went to a spooky house or if someone answered the door and flipped their lid because of how freaking adorable he was. It happened quite a few times... but mostly we had to keep him from barging into stranger's houses. He would knock on the door, yell trick-or-treat and the proceed to try and open the door to let himself in! And then when they offered the candy bowl he would take one, look up at them shyly and then take two or three more. The little stinker! Once we told him he had enough he would turn around and say, "Let's go to the next house!"

Sometimes the kid just kills me with his cuteness...