This is going to be one big post about several things going on in the last week.  Forgive the length, but enjoy the pictures.

Last week was “Texas Day”  at Amai’s preschool.  She woke up so excited that she got to dress up that day- dressing up is truly her heart’s desire all of the time, every day.  I had to scramble that morning for a bandana and ended up taking this one off of her stuffed horse.  Shhhh, don’t tell her that!

Check out the pose she struck. She did that on her own.

On Monday I took the kids to the Dallas Arboretum, along with half of Dallas and their children.  Seriously, in all of my arboretum years I have never seen that many people there before.  It was insane.  I asked one of the parking attendants what was going on because it was far more crazy than I have ever seen it on a “Mommy and Me” day, and they said there were several events going on that day- including the biggest wedding the arboretum had ever hosted.  Crazy!

The kids loved running around in the straw maze, but once we had seen the pumpkins and done the maze a couple of times they were already fried and ready to come home.  We had a little meltdown during our pumpkin pictures and then a huge one when I told them we had to go home.  It was lovely.

This is one side of the line to get in; it stretched at least half a mile in both directions on the street!

Straw maze

He was so excited to see all the pumpkins.

And she was not so excited about picture time.

Trying to find a smile for me...

And yesterday, of all days, we went to the State Fair of Texas.  Yes, that’s right.  We went out in the rain and sloshed around the fair grounds, ate disgustingly greasy food, and let the kids ride a few rides, all while spending more money than I care to think about.  It was $1 per ticket with canned food, so at least we saved there.  But seriously, it started to downpour the minute we got into the parking lot and we had no choice but to brave the elements and go right on in.

First stop was to buy ponchos for the kids.  That cost a pretty penny.  Then we found a dry spot in the kids barnyard.  The kids were absolutely oblivious to the rain, Amai even enjoyed splashing around in the puddles.  It was rather cold though, and Asher refused to put his hood on- so he froze, poor little guy.

After the barnyard, we found the rides and let the kids ride a few- they loved it.  Next year, we’ll eat at home and go straight to the rides once we get there.  It has been years since I’ve gone to the fair- and I don’t think Chris has ever been, so next year we will plan better.  It was fun to be there and make a memory that will never fade.  I laughed more yesterday than I have in a long time.  Something is hilarious about getting completely soaked in the rain.

Here we go!

Just inside the gate and already soaked!

Ominous clouds...

They loved the animals.

First ride.

Last ride- this was his favorite. Airplanes, go figure.

We stripped their wet pants, shoes, and socks off- and they passed out the minute we got back on the highway.

When he woke up at home he said, "ride airplanes again?"

It was a fun memory.  Glad it’s over!

Hope everyone is well…  I have several friends who need prayer right now.  If you think of it, pray for Julia who just lost her dad after a very long struggle with Alzheimer’s.  Also for Stephanie and Dan whose son (1 yr. old) just had his tonsils taken out this morning.  I’m thinking of all of you- let me know if we can pray for anything for you specifically.

I’m off to play with Ashe for a while until Amai gets home.