Strawberry Festival

On Saturday, the kids and I went to a local farm to attend a Strawberry Festival. The sky was overcast so I wasn't sure if the weather was going to permit us to go, but the rain held so we went (although it did mean that I overdressed my poor boys -they had on jeans when they should have had on shorts - hot and humid!!). We were fortunate enough to meet up with some friends when we got there and that made it even more fun. Clayton had been looking forward to the festival since Friday when he accidentally overheard me telling Justin that I was going to take them (I have to try not to tell him about the fun things we do - otherwise I hear, 'is it time for ____ yet?' over and over). So when we got there he was really excited.

I wasn't sure what to expect because we had never been to this festival before, but it was really fun. It was set up almost like a mini-carnival. There was a little petting zoo, bounce house, pony rides, face painting, balloon animals, frisbee making, hoola hoop contests, lots of fattening foods, and - of course - tons of strawberries!

The first thing we did when we got there was visit the animals. Clayton thought it was cool to feed them, but other than that he had no interest. Noah, however, loved everything about them - looking at them, touching them, feeding them, listening to them - it was great!

After the animals Clayton dragged us over to the bounce house. He loves those things! I was a little worried because Noah wanted to go in with Clayton and he's a lot smaller than the other kids were, but Noah can sure hold his own! I was impressed. I was also impressed with the way they both came right out when their turn was over - I was expecting tears, screaming and refusal.

Then it was time for a pony ride. Again, Clayton liked it - Noah LOVED it! I think this was the highlight of the festival for him. His face lit up when he realized that he was going to be able to sit on the horse and ride it instead of just look at it and pet it. I loved sharing that moment with him. When we go to Monroe in a few weeks, I think that Justin will HAVE to take Noah horseback riding!

After the pony ride, the kids were starting to melt down a little so we ate some lunch. After our brief lunch break was over, the kids made frisbee's and got balloon animals. Sadly, Clayton's balloon animal popped in the car on the way home - he was so upset about it that I was worried that it was the only thing he would remember from the whole day (it wasn't - phew).

Once the 'crafting' was over, I wanted to go inside and do the tastings. They had a ton of different strawberry treats that were available to sample: strawberry salsa (SO good), strawberry rhubarb pie, strawberry fudge, chocolate covered strawberries, strawberry milkshakes and strawberry smoothies. I was anxious to get over there - until I lost Clayton!

A friend of mine from college did a post a while ago about how she lost her little boy for a while. I remember reading it and thinking, 'that's my nightmare'. I knew that Noah would be a handful and I was constantly keeping tabs on him, Clayton is usually pretty obedient though and generally stays where I tell him so I wasn't as concerned about him as I was Noah. So after the frisbee decorating, I told Clayton to stand by the stroller while I grabbed Noah (who was trying to run away). Noah was only about 5 feet away from me so my back was turned for - literally - about 30 seconds. When I turned back around Clayton was GONE! I wasn't initially that worried. I figured that he was hiding behind the stroller or had gone back to the craft table. I was a little frustrated, but not worried. Until I checked behind the stroller and at the craft table and Clayton was nowhere to be found. I had been calling his name, but when I realized that he wasn't there the tone of my voice changed from just calling his name, to screaming his name in a panic. Several people who were standing around me noticed the panic in my voice and asked who we were looking for. I pulled out my camera and showed them the pictures I had taken of Clayton earlier and we all started searching for him. I can honestly say that I have never been so scared in my whole life. Finally, it occured to me that there was a playground not too far away from where we were and that Clayton had asked earlier to go there. I grabbed Noah and Josie and we ran to the playground screaming for Clayton. When we got there I and I saw him I was so relieved! I hugged him and then spent the next few minutes going off about how he is NEVER allowed to walk away from me. I feel so blessed that we were able to find him so quickly (although those were probably the longest ten minutes of my life).

After that I wanted to go home - you know, recover emotionally - but we didn't. We went in and did our tastings. Then, we went back out to that playgound so that the boys could play for a bit without taking twenty years off my life! After the playground it was time for some homemade ice cream. I think that Vermont Maple Walnut is my new favorite flavor! So delicious! Once our ice cream was gone, it was time to go home (and nap)!

On our way to the car, we walked by a stand of strawberries for sale. I wasn't planning on buying any, I just wanted to hurry and get home (Josie was starting to get fussy). Noah had other ideas though. Clayton and I walked right past the strawberries, but Noah stopped and stared at them. I called out to him and tried to get him to come with us, but he just kept pointing and saying, 'strawberries'. I knew what was going to happen before it happened. He took two strawberries (one in each hand), took a bite out of each, put them both back and kept on walking - that kid is fast. There were several people around who saw this, which of course meant that I had to take that carton and buy it. So, strawberries in hand, we finally made it to the car. I gave Noah the two that he had already started eating and he ate them on the way home, leaves and all.

When he woke up from his nap, the first thing he said was, 'I want a strawberry'. I told him he could have one. I put one on the table for him and he went and got it and took it back to his room. I'm not sure why he thought it was okay to do that - I never allow the boys to take food outside the kitchen - but it was pretty cute watching him lay in bed eating a strawberry. He looked so peaceful and content it made me wish I could lie in bed and eat strawberries (doesn't that sound luxurious)!
So the festival was fun (mostly). Filled with ups and downs. However, the boys are still talking about it several days later so I'm calling it a success! Here are a few other pictures from the festival:
Noah's cute cheesy grin:
Clayton and his friend Addy. These two were so cute. They held hands while they waited for their pony rides.
Cute little Miss Jo.
Yup, we're three for three with the thumbsuckers!
Clayton hoola-hooping. It was pretty hilarious to watch. I should have taken video of it...