All's Fair in Hillsboro
We are blessed to live near the Washington County Fairgrounds. In October, we get Frite Lites: a Halloween-themed light display; in summer, we get the Washington Country Fair.
In prior years, one or more of us has been sick or hosptialized and unable to go. I've been able to take Gabriel a few times, but not Hannah or Janette. This year, we are on something of a hosptial intermission. We know Hannah is going back in, but we don't know when, what might prompt it (e.g. an emergency or a scheduled appointment), and how long she may stay. Given that, Janette and I seemed to agree silently that this would be a busy, family weekend out.
We arrived at the fairgrounds around 11am, and the crowds were light. Janette's dad and Gabriel picked up some Kettle Corn for the walk; I, grilled corn on the cob. A carousel spun nearby, and, after quick discussion, we headed that direction.
I am a sucker for carousels. I own carousel books, visit carousel museums, and, with the kids, now have an excuse to ride them again (for a few years anyway). Gabriel enjoys them, though I think the Tornado spinner is beginning to beat out this simple pleasure.
This was Hannah's first ride, though, so I was excited to see how she would react to the ride.
Well, a morning nap might have helped. Hannah was okay provided I was singing. I held her as I stood beside her horse, singing and playing. She seemed surprised when the carousel started turning and the horse rising and falling on its pole. Not startled, exactly - just kind of interested to see what would happen.
Two minutes would have been okay, I think. For some reason, though, Hannah hit her threshold just before the ride slowed and began crying. I unbelted her as the ride ended and passed her to Janette waiting nearby. Gabriel dismounted himself.
Hannah was happier to be back in her Kid Kart, moving again.
We had some more holding and singing time while Gabriel rode a kiddie roller coaster. But then Hannah was ready for a nap. Janette and her dad took Hannah off for a stroll while I waited for Gabriel's ride to complete.
Later, we joined back up at a picnic table, and I finished singing Hannah to sleep.
All in all, even with the crying, it was nice to get out and spend a day together. A hospital stay is on the near-term horizon, but it seemed more distant this Saturday and Sunday as we enjoyed our time together as a family.
-- Dad
