NC State Fair 2014

The NC State Fair opened today, so I took Abbie over for a little fun.  Before we go into the fun and food enjoyed, I just have to say, I cannot believe how expensive the fair is!  I don't know how people go with their whole family, eat tons of food, ride the rides, and attend the concerts.  But anyway, Abbie and I had some good age-appropriate discussions about how much things cost and what they are worth, plus she had opportunities to pay directly for the things she wanted (using money I gave her) and collect the change.  For instance, she decided to forgo the $8 fried pickles for a $5 giant hot dog; and she chose a $4 bag of cotton candy, which will last into tomorrow or later, over a single scoop of ice cream.  I was proud of her.  :)

The food and fun:

We enjoyed walking through the beautiful flower gardens.  Abbie had fun pretending to be the ladybug and gave her best scary buzz face in the bee.

Abbie's first food choice was roasted corn.  It was juicy and delicious!

After some walking, looking at some giant pumpkins, and sucking down honey straws (no picture, sorry!), we got dinner.  I picked a small corn dog (didn't see the giant ones that I remember from a few years ago) and Abbie got a foot long hot dog with cheese.  Yum!

This acrobat/balancing act was really amazing.

I thought this was cool...

Then he went higher...

and higher...

Abbie was worried about how he would make it down, but he did.  It was really incredible!

After deciding that $8 for a ferris wheel ride or so wasn't worth it, Abbie picked out some cotton candy and we headed to the farm animals.

Mooooooo.  This is Peaches the dairy cow.

Absolute BEST $3 we spent all afternoon!  Abbie milked a cow for quite a while with an NC State University student.  Then, they gave her a free chocolate milk.

Abbie enjoyed her milk while we listened to some bluegrass music.

After the music, an ant-eater on stilts made friends with Abbie.

The last thing we did was check out the "yesteryear" arts and crafts.  I found a vendor's work that I really liked and am excited to buy one of her pieces as a wedding gift for one of my friends.