Your cart is currently empty!
That Night We Embraced Adventure with Our Kids
County fairs can be quite unappealing: the heat is stifling, the food is both unhealthy and overpriced, and the overall experience leaves you feeling exhausted and covered in dirt. It’s always crowded, the lines are lengthy, and you end up hauling a bunch of stuff. Yet, one thing is certain: kids absolutely adore them.
One evening, while driving home, we passed the fair in full swing. From the backseat, I heard gasps of excitement.
“Please, Mom! Can we go? Look at the ferris wheel!”
“No, not tonight. We need to get home and prepare for bed. School is tomorrow.”
It would have been much simpler to visit the fair before school started, but this year, it coincided with the first week back. My husband and I are also very mindful of our budget and prefer to limit activities during the week. With family visiting and no plans for the next night, I suddenly felt a spark of spontaneity. Why not say yes?
We decided to let our kids experience the fair. We agreed to stay out until 10:30 p.m. on a school night for them to ride the attractions. We indulged in overpriced games like balloon-popping and the classic ring-the-bell-with-a-sledgehammer challenge. Carrying our cheesy prizes, which could have easily been found at a dollar store, we navigated through the fun house with its twisting slides and monkey tunnel.
We munched on giant corn dogs and cotton candy, while the kids ended up with ketchup-smeared faces and sticky hands. My youngest lay on the ground, covered in fair dust, dramatically playing dead after an epic inflatable sword duel with his father.
We enjoyed rides like the merry-go-round and the tugboat, and marveled at a cannon stunt show. The kids witnessed their parents laughing joyfully as we were tossed around and sprayed with water on one of the thrilling rides. We rode swings that soared high and let our little one fish rubber ducks out of the water for even more prizes. As the lines for the kids’ rides dwindled, we realized we were staying way too late.
With immense joy, I said yes to every request for snacks and games, ending up with stuffed animals, swords, and big smiles. In the backseat, the boys chatted excitedly, swinging their neon-lighted sword and giggling as its glow painted patterns on the car ceiling. I drove home in a blissful silence, feeling happier than I had in a long time. This was so far outside our typical routine, and it felt amazing to embrace the moment.
Once home, we reminisced about our adventure before tucking the little one into bed. I allowed the older child to stay up late and skipped bath time. We all went to bed happy and a little dirty. It was, without a doubt, the best night ever.
The next day, the kids headed to school, their shoes dusty and ride stamps still on their arms. While some might see them as unkempt, there was no reason to feel sorry for them. Despite the many unattractive aspects of the county fair, for three and a half hours, we were carefree and joyful. For all the dirt and baggage we carried home, it felt incredibly rewarding, and I hope my boys will forever cherish that night we decided to say yes.
For more insights into family adventures like this one, check out this informative resource on pregnancy and home insemination. You might also find helpful tips on your fertility journey at this authority site.
Summary
Embracing spontaneity, a family decided to visit the county fair on a school night, despite the usual inconveniences. They indulged in overpriced food, played games, and created lasting memories, ultimately cherishing the joy of saying yes to adventure.