Davis Ranch Sweet Corn Festival

On Saturday July 16, 2011 we went, for the first time, to the Davis Ranch Sweet Corn Festival. I have been on a country music kick, and heard about this festival on the radio. Then I checked it out online. I saw the words "free" and "tractor rides" and knew Nicholas was going to love it.



Look - Jon and I actually got a picture - taken together - with no kids! We can now have one from our wedding, and from 2011. It seems that between the 2 kids, we hardly get any pictures taken anymore. As a side note, I was standing on a hay bale with my boots on (1 inch heel - western boots). That's why we are almost the same height. I don't think this would fool anybody who knows us. And I fit into my western boots - which means I have been losing weight :)



Nicholas did the pony rides. At first he didn't want to. Then he saw that the ponies were "little horses" and thought it would be fun. These were not free, but I ponied up (haha) and let him ride. Oh my, the fit when the ride ended. I think someone is going to horse camp next summer.



He had a blast on the tractor rides. They did 2 in a row. Nicholas had no intention of getting off the tractor. They rode forever and ever. Which was fine because I held Abby and we wandered around and she yelled with excitement. Then she crashed in her stroller and took a nice nap and I got to sit in the hay bales, in the shade, and smell the cows.



I got a picture of me and Nicholas too. I don't have many of those since I am normally the one behind the camera. This picture was taken at the hay bales where you could sit and listen to music.



They had free bounce houses too. Nicholas probably spent an hour or so bouncing while Jon and I sat and watched and Abby napped. We got to talk - which we don't often get to do during the day with the two kids. And then the band started playing. I am all for giving people a chance, but the music wasn't that awesome. They had sound problems (the lead female vocalist had her mike up WAY too loud), and they simply weren't that good. I don't mind semi-professionals, or even people who just do it for fun, but then you shouldn't be overly ambitious with the songs that you pick as a band.

We did stop by their produce section before leaving. They have fabulous produce at great prices. Nicholas and Jon picked strawberries and we ate them all that day. We also have corn galore and love it. Nicholas even eats the corn. So I have found my new produce spot.

We loved the festival and will return next year and for the gourd festival in September.

Things you forget...

There are things you think you will never forget about kids. yet by the time the second one comes around, you have forgotten them.

For instance - I have forgotten how messy they get when they are first learning to eat. And how they get into EVERYTHING when they start crawling - simply because they can.

Abby is quite the proficient crawler right now; at least when she wants to be. Sometimes she decides it is not worth the trouble and cries until you come get her, but when she wants to, she can move. I left them in my sight while I went to the bathroom, and when I got out, I knew she had crawled away. To the diaper bag she went, in search of food. She found the Cheerios, emptied the container out onto the floor, and was happily munching away. This is about 10 minutes after she ate strawberries, a chicken nugget, yogurt, and some baby food. Nice to know both my children can be motivated by food.

Nicholas doesn't like that she can crawl and reach his toys. He likes to have "races" with her while they crawl outside. But not when she's trying to get his toys. He's getting a quick lesson in the reasons he needs to pick up his toys instead of leaving them on the floor. That quick lesson is called Abby. if he has it, she wants it. My girl likes cars and trucks - since that's what her brother has. I tried to get her a doll, and she has no interest. She does like the stuffed cow. She tosses it around and rolls all around the floor with it. She always ends up on top of it, holding the horns, eating the cow. So I figure she's going to be a rodeo super star and a carnivore. Not a bad combo.

Jon and I are doing well. The gym has been a great savior for me - it gives me "alone" time every day I go. Not time by myself to do what I want, but time alone - without the kids - to just focus on working out. It's a great mental stress reliever. And physical stress reliever too.

Hope everyone is doing well and Happy 4th of July (almost)!