Every year around Labor Day Grammy and Poppy's church hosts a fun carnival. Every time we think about visiting a local amusement park, we remember: Grammy and Poppy's carnival! The carnival's no Dutch Wonderland, but it's about ten thousand times easier. (And when Grammy and Poppy generously spring for dozens of ride tickets and dinner to boot, it's easy on the pocketbook, too!)
This year, Peter was especially interested in the big-kid rides. I'm not sure if he's a daredevil at heart or has a sense of himself as being "big," but he asked a few times about riding some kind of insane rides. (No scrambler for you!)
Thomas was all about riding the big-kid rides, too. He has a new habit of pointing toward what he wants and saying, "that!", and when we don't immediately respond to his request, following it up with a full-body lunge in the general direction of that which he wants. I'm sure if he were given half a chance he would have climbed under the fence around the dizzy dragon ride, climbed aboard a dragon, and ridden away.
(Instead, while everyone else went for the world's shortest ride on the dizzy dragons, I took him for another spin on the carousel.)
Lucy was captivated by the prizes in the game booths and wouldn't rest until she had one of her own. We found a guaranteed win game for her, and one ball toss later she was the proud owner of a bright pink squeaking bat. (The bat, and her brother's accompanying hammer, have not yet popped. Oh, darn.)
The big hit of the carnival was the giant slide. The kids went down multiple times, Thomas included. Lucy ended every trip by jumping up and shouting "again!" Frankly, I ended every trip by jumping and thinking "again!"
At some point, we had to say no to the "again," partly because it was getting late but mostly because we were out of tickets. It was well past the kids' bedtimes, but they were so excited to be at Grammy and Poppy's house with Maelynn! that bedtime took just a bit longer than normal, and I'm fairly certain that I fell asleep before anyone under 60.
The next day was spent playing and keeping busy and eating a celebratory pre-birthday lunch. We left Peter and Lucy behind, and were able to enjoy conversation. I'm beginning to suspect that anyone speaking is an invitation for Lucy or Peter to start speaking - like singing along to a song, only singing loudly and to a different song.
Lucy commandeered both this double stroller and doll carrier and any stray babydoll she could get her hands on. She's lucky that Maelynn didn't mind so much, because it could have gotten ugly. (Also, I'm beginning to think that Lucy's preparing for a life as a mom of multiples - she almost always burdens herself with all manner of child care accoutrement that she can find. Stroller, wagon, backpack, carrier? Check, check, check and check.)
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