It's Carnival Time!!!

Yesterday was practically tortuous for my 6-year-old. She knew we'd be last night and since she didn't have school, there was nothing to distract her from the long wait until 6 p.m. Not having school also meant she really had no concept of time. "Can we go now???" "Is daddy home yet????" She knows these things in reference to when they have after she gets home from school. But, she was a champ and found things to keep her busy and when the time finally rolled around, off we went.

We go with the same friends every year, Tracey and "The Big E" as we call him. We get our "all you can ride" wristbands and off we go. Finley and E- hit the midway like it's their job. I mean, you've never seen such focus. There's no stopping in between rides. Sometimes, there's no in-between rides as they just get back in line for another go. And another...And another. These two are professionals determined to squeeze every last drop out of that "all you can ride wristband."

My daughter loves to play the games and win stuffed animals. Because that's what we need, more stuffed animals. (I've already sewn my other daughter's stuff pig up this morning as the stuffing was poking out.) And those carnies or buskers or whatever you call them play right into those big eyes and please of, "Mommy, I want to play this game!" It's their job. I get it. I always feel bad saying no to some. You gotta set the expectation before you go: only (x) games. Or else my kid would play all day. Managing expecations is proper pre-carnival procedure.

I love the carnival. We look forward to it every year. (I'm also a Boardwalk person!) And the Odenton one is the perfect size. Big enough to have lots of rides for the kids. Small enough to navigate. Contained enough to easily run into neighbors and friends. I look forward to the funnel cake. (I'm still finding powdered sugar in weird places.) I love the sounds of the kids screaming with delight and the woosh of the roller coaster whizzing by. I even went on a few rides. Tracey and I drove the bumper cars while the kids laughed and got whiplash. (My back is still sore. Oy!) And I took Fin on the Ferris Wheel. (Mostly so I could take pictures)

The sounds. The smells. The colors. The lights when the sun goes down. It's all there. Something for everyone right in our own little town. (Group hug!)

The carnival runs through Monday. Go for more details.