Go to the
State Fair of Texas. Growing up in Houston I never heard about the State Fair of Texas, but we did go to the
Houston Rodeo a few times. Lee is a pro at visiting the State Fair and I love going with him every year. Here is our with kids battle plan. Arrive before 10 am (this year they even let us in at 9:30 am!) and head straight for Little Hands on the Farm. The kids love being farmers!
Then, the children's barnyard and on to the Food and Fiber building for the $2 milk, see Elsie the cow, and enjoy all of the free samples (this year it was ice cream cones!). By now it is time for the first backyard circus show. This year Madeleine was chosen as the tightrope walker and Everett was a lion!
A movie of Everett as a lion. It is hard to tell which lion is Everett, but he had so much fun.
On our way to lunch we stopped at the Hall of State and enjoyed the Texas history exhibit, it is the 175th anniversary of Texas Independence! Then on to a dollar dog for the kids (seriously, they are $1 hot dogs - best deal ever!) and corny dogs for us. So yummy!
Then a wander through the car show, this year Madeleine tried the rock climbing wall and did great! Enjoy the movie of her climbing.
Lee and Everett were wandering through more of the car show while Madeleine rock climbed so Madeleine and I were able to visit the Komen truck and get free Komen stuff!
Next we stopped at the DAR building for $1 water and also visited Homes of Tomorrow. Pretty cool, innovative stuff!
Next was the ferris wheel ride. This was Everett's first trip and he was a pro.
Next stop was the green house next to the ferris wheel with the man dressed up like a tree (so cool!), the pumpkin carver and pumpkin painting.
Madeleine sporting her new Komen hat thing.
Everett thought his pumpkin was a football.
By now we were pooped. So, we headed back to the car stopping to try the fried buffalo chicken flapjack (best taste winner). Lee said it was spicy but good. We also stopped at the McDonald's truck, they were giving away free mango smoothies, and we stopped at the dairy truck. The kids loved milking the cow. We also stopped at a science table with students from one of the area colleges. The kids loved playing with all of their science experiments.
Unfortunately, our 6 hours at the state fair was not enough! So, we are going back and this time we will see the butter sculpture, the dog show, the acrobats, milking of the cow, birds of the world show, a midway game for the kids, a midway ride for the kids, and I must try the fried bubble gum (most creative winner).
Everett's request for his birthday breakfast was donuts. That kid can eat 2 kolaches, a regular donut, and 3 donut holes! And yet we have to cinch up his pants. 
A quick learner at the scooter from Nana! 
Pirate dress up clothes from us, I love his pirate earring!
All of us in the birthday chair.
