Putting the "Labor" in Labor Day Weekend

A friend asked me the other day if we wanted any more. Kids that is. Sure, we just have two - but they are 3 and nearly 2, respectively. Should we be thinking about more at this time? I hope not. The answer came quickly and resolutely - Not Now. Not that I don't love every breath that comes out of my babies' mouths - even when it's a scream of indignation or a maddening "No! Mommy!" No, I am absolutely amazed and astounded at the two pieces of perfection my Heavenly Father sent down to me. I can't complain. But more? My cup runneth over.


We took the kids to the State Fair this weekend. Two hours to get there - two hours in the car - two hours without naps - two hours of fighting over the only two books left in the backseat after B shamelessly cleaned out the car. Good times all around. I always knew my kids would fight... afterall I have two sisters myself and know how important sibling rivalry can be in the moment. But I failed to recognize how early the fighting would start and how very urgent it would always be. K1 loves to put his feet on K2's car seat. This infuriates K2 to no end. To retaliate (or perhaps just because she's the little sister and loves to bug him) K2 makes sure her big board book hits K1 in the head as she reads. K2 is much more subtle -- she uses sneak attacks and guerilla warfare to claim her victories. K1 has no time to be subversive... he'd much rather smack her in the head and take full responsibility.

The fair was a hit, as all fairs tend to be. After sufficient rounds of carnival rides (for the toddler set that consists of various contraptions that all spin round at about the speed of a lazy afternoon fan), numerous tummy treats such as corndogs and ice cream and cotton candy and the all-important funnel cake, and the obligatory animal-gazing and horse-petting, we headed home. This time we had worn out the kids enough that they crashed the minute the key turned in the ignition. It was a peaceful drive back, and B and I actually managed some adult conversation.


And if the fair wasn't enough, we took them to our city's annual food tasting extravaganza today to sample all kinds of exotic foods and run around in the grass and sit down on the filthy city streets. Oh, and of course to have a go at the porta-potty because no festival would be complete without sampling that germapalooza. Kids just don't seem to see it that way though. They marvel at the crowds and the bite size portion of "nacks" and the trash on the ground that can always be turned into some sort of toy. They are fascinated by the holes in the porta-potties and what must be in them and the sticky gum on the sidewalk and the way the sno-cones turn their lips (and hands and clothes) bright blue and red.

If you've never looked at the world through a child's eyes, you truly are missing something.