Festivus For the Rest of Us in Fall

Yesterday we had a great time at this year's "Festival in the Park". The kids really had fun riding the carnival rides, playing on the playground and in the sandbox, catching a show by a clown troupe and taking in all the sights and sounds of a fall festival. Previously we've gone to events like this one, but for some reason or another (tantrums, nap time, over stimulation) they've not been the greatest experiences. But this time, it was magic!



Kate and Ashton both not only wanted to, but enjoyed, going on the rides by themselves. This was the first year they really did it! It was so much fun and gave me unbelievable joy to see them both get in ride cars together not fighting with, but having fun with each other! They were so good about siting right next to each other and taking turns steering or turning or whatever the rides did. (Kate is so fearless at 2!)

The only minor blip was Kate and good ol' Gus the Talking School Bus. As of late she's become fascinated with school buses, always pointing them out as we drive down the road. I was soooooo sure once she saw Gus the Bus parked and open to anyone who wanted to go inside and explore, she'd run up to it and climb those giant stairs. But, surprisingly, she did not want to get on. I'm guessing up close a bus is quite larger and dirtier than she anticipated. As she stood there staring at Gus, she was very certain and firm when asked again and again if she wanted to go on, saying "No. Nope. No. No. No. NO!" But she continued to hang around the open door, playing peek-a-boo with the driver and carefully watching all the kids getting on and off. As I began to give up on her, out of the blue she puffed her little chest out and said "Mommy, up!" pointing inside the school bus. So, I carried her up the stairs and deposited her in the seat next to her daddy. She immedietly got up, ran to the window, and let out the loudest Tarzan-like bellow I've herd from her yet. "Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!" to the festival, crowd, and anyone within a mile distance.





I guess that was her way of telling everyone how proud she was of herself for conquering her fear of the giant yellow machiene. I was proud of her too!





All-in-all it was a great time and it cemented in my mind what a wonderful season fall really is!