We returned to our annual family crayon box adventure this past weekend–the Collier County Fair.
This is our eighth year visiting the fair and the best one yet — cooler temps, way less crowds, and Dash out of the “runner” phase where I’m constantly worried he’s going to take off. This is also the first year we didn’t bring the stroller, and we regretted it simply because we missed having a place to dump all of our stuff.
As with any continued return to the same place every year, the fair works a bit like a holiday, punctuating the passing of time more than we notice in everyday scenes. As if seeing my kids changing in front of the same cotton candy stands and 4H tent doesn’t hit home enough, the fair makes it literal with all the “You Must Be This Tall To Ride” measuring sticks. “Alright, Fair. I get it. The hourglass sand is slipping, and my kids are getting old.”
I have a foolproof remedy for the sting of “my kids are growing too fast.” I’ve tested this remedy a number of times in numerous settings to validate my theory these past two years, and although I’m still in the data collection phase, I can assure you my remedy works every time. It might take a day for it to work, but I promise you, it works and anyone can use this method.
It goes like this: Find something to be grateful for in this moment, say it out loud, acknowledge time is passing and then…Lean into it, lean into it, lean into it so hard.
At the fair, it goes something like this.
The sting: I remember when Lainey held my hand in this same spot, and her little pacifier lisp when she said “yes” to the bumble bee ride. Why does time go by so fast?
The remedy: I look out at my kids walking next to my dad and Brett’s mom. I whisper, “I’m so grateful for vibrant, healthy grandparents who love my kids so much.” I crouch down to take a picture of the scene.
I ask Lainey and her friend if they want to ride the really high swings. I high five my girl when she says yes–for the first time–and holler all sorts of embarrassing woo-hoos while she’s soaring.
I drink cold beer and hook my arm around Brett’s, buy cotton candy, shove a wad of one dollar bills in Lainey’s hand when she asks for an elephant ear.
I breathe in the sunset, the secret magic fair light (setting sun through dirt particles can’t be beat), the wafting scent from the taco stand, the smorgasbord of colors, the carousel music.
I promise to hit the pet store for fish accessories the next day, secretly hoping they gave us the most unhealthy fish so we don’t make it that far (wish granted, rest in peace Chicken Legs and Rat).
I love this little fair and the memories it gives our family every year.
A few more moments from the evening:
And we are thankful for another family memory with Lainey’s dear friend, Maggie. She’s like part of our family. We know that Maggie’s family will most likely be moving somewhere else in the country later this year and are beginning to talk about how hard that will be (cue tears). In the meantime, we are soaking up our time with her.
Happy Monday! Leaning in so hard.
From laughing out loud at beautiful dust particles and granted wishes of unhealthy fish, to tears for a friendship that is going to change and break hearts. I remember that at that age NOTHING mattered more than your very best friend, who’s like your sister and the pain it can bring when things don’t continue as they used to. But I also know that distance does nothing to a true and solid friendship. I know that to be true first hand having left every single one of my family and friends behind 11 years ago to move to the US from Germany. And now, every time I visit home my friends and I pick up right where we left off at ❤️
I love hearing this. And I know their friendship (and mine with her mama) will be the same. True and solid.
My best friend moved from South Africa to the UK when we were both 14. We are now 32 and she’s just gone home after being my maid of honour – just another of the many adventures we’ve shared over the years. We are soul sisters and a little distance was no match for us!
I wish the same for Lainey and Maggie xxx
First, the Kids look adorable! Love the outfits!!! Second (and pardon the all caps but Yassss, I would be screaming) You can carry around and drink a COLD BEER AT the FAIR!?!!! Game changer. Attending a county fair in Florida has officially been added to my bucket list. Rides, sand, colorful lights,cold beer – sounds like perfection and that’s even w/o the obligatory funnel cake!
Ha! I know, right? Makes the fair a lot easier to deal with, especially when it’s hot outside!
OMG, that look on Brett’s face as he’s looking up at Lainey! I have a photo like that with my dad. He’s been gone three years now and it’s one of my most treasured possessions.
Love this. A cherished photo indeed.
That photo of Nella waving while she is on the ride! TOO CUTE!! I love following your dear family.
Lean in. Genius. Fabulous photos.
I love how frequently your posts includes a photo of a deliriously-happy Nella with ice cream smeared all over her face.
It’s been a year already?!?! Leaning in to the moment. Thanks for the inspiration ????
I love love your fair posts every year!! It’s just magical!! Please please tell us where Nellas adorable rainbow dress is from!!
Excellent “lean in” advice! These moments with my too-fast-growing-littles (5, 4 and 2) are too frequently leaving me somewhere between a lump in my throat and a barely containable grin of joy. I want to enjoy every stinking moment without being a total sap or totally crushed by the speeding passage of time. Thank you, sincerely, for the wise words and great outlook. I will employ this method!
Surely, not only the kids enjoyed but also the kids at heart. I love the ???? matching. I’m just wondering how they felt when their fish didn’t make it?
They were totally fine. We’ve been through fair fish before, so I prepped them that a short life span was likely.
Magic fish that only stay for a day! 🙂
I look forward to this post every year. I remember the year of the lost tooth fondly as well as the year that Dash went home wrapped in a shirt-diaper. Real life. Real love.
When I was in second grade my bff moved from MA to CA. Every summer starting in 4th grade she would fly solo to visit me and do super fun MA things (cape cod, strawberry picking, firefly catching) and after a week we would fly together back to CA for a week doing super cool CA things (Disney land, Zuma beach). It was our version of camp and it lasted until junior year of high school. Of course it would have been better to never lose her. But I gained memories and a sisterhood from those trips that would have ceased to exist. Good luck momming through the tears.
Loved this entire article. Being a mom of all grown children now and several grandchildren, this pulled at my heart strings. One thing I can say is that to this day I miss having a stroller to put all my junk in. I just might go and buy one for that purpose.
Pure magic! Thank you for sharing. Please, when it’s convenient for you.. Please where did you find all of your rainbow garb & especially N’s socks and dress. ^_^ <3
It’s a UK company called Little Birds by Jools (Jamie Oliver’s wife, Jools). You can get it at Mothercare online and it ships fast internationally–and pretty affordable!
Thank you so very much. (=
I love your description of the fair. I also relate to wishing that I brought a stroller to such an outing 🙂 Also, beautiful photos.
Beer at the fair. That is a win! The pictures are gorgeous.
Dude, that photo of the girl upside down with the illuminated red hair? Good eye, my friend. Good eye.
I love this post in its entirety but like most everyone else, the moving best friend part struck me. In my case I had to move to another state after 5 years with my best friend, and even though we drifted apart the last year, (6th grade and I think she was going through an “I’m cool because I’m in junior high” phase), as soon as I was gone we couldn’t stop calling each other and we visited each other regularly. We are still friends. I think a nice thing to remember is that even though her best friend is moving away, she’s not going to be on some magical journey. She will miss your daughter just as much as your daughter misses her. And they will have more awesome times together.