It was really really weird having a holiday on a Thursday. I’m sure it’s going to be even more mind-melding when I go to work tomorrow having no earthly idea what day it is. (Does it weird you out that you’re reading this on Friday but I wrote it last night and now I’ve played with time itself? Mwuhahaha)

*Ahem* I kept forgetting we had the day off so I was pleasantly surprised when I woke and it clicked and then I said, “I’m gonna run – early.” Got on my cold gear and headed out into the 45 degree temps, which weren’t so bad once I got going. I was only supposed to go 2.5 miles but I think it was closer to 3 because I forgot to stop. I guess I had my map point for 3 stuck in my head and just kept going. I shouldn’t have though because my next run is 3 but then Sunday is an easy 2 miles. As in, go slow. It’ll be hard since I’ve been at about a 9/10 minute pace. Aaannnd…you don’t care do you? Moving on…

We got to the North Florida Fair around 2 or so and I was honestly worried that Ell would seem overwhelmed. I’m not sure why. He’s never really done anything like that. We perused the food alley and then hit up the animals. Ell had fun feeding the various livestock once he got used to it. Then we took a stroll through the midway and got  a feel for what Elliot might want to ride. After circling the entire place, we ended up taking him on the kiddie roller coaster, which he loved. I was actually certain he’d cry a little. He has been known to be wary in new situations but he loved it. He and Ash rode the kid version of the Himalayan and then we got food. I got a chicken-kabob and a lemonade and they split and ice cream cone. We both wanted to go back for more food but never ended up doing it.

In some ways, I really loved going as a family this year. Last time we went it was right before I got pregnant with Elliot and we ate like pigs and rode ’til we got dizzy and stayed out all night. Can’t really do that anymore and perhaps it’s for the best.

2005 shot

2006 shot

You can check out my flickr for this year’s pics. Not at night, not nearly as gratuitous. I kind of missed the nighttime experience but it was still the barrage on my senses that I remember: people everywhere, smells so good your mouth waters and the lights of the rides, the thrills…the impossible to win games and the weird carnies. It’s all so awesome.

I made pork chops for dinner, which Ell wasn’t keen on but what he didn’t eat in pork he made up for in green beans. You pick your battles, you know? He did, however, break out into Toy Story 3 quotes; “Evil doctah Pork chop!” Heh heh. Since we got it via Netflix, we’ve seen it, oh, four times? I suspect many more viewings are in our future. After all, he watched 1 and 2 to death. And I mean, he WATCHED them. Over and over and over. I have to say, the third one doesn’t really have any quotable lines. In the second one, we found a ton. Like, “You really are Stinky Pete, aren’t you?” That’s a good one. But this one was sentimental and not necessarily memorable.

That’s my mid-week day off recap. See ya on the flip side.