Big Times Are Back

It's one of my favorite times of year...fair time! I love the fair and when I went with my work earlier in the week, I became super excited to take Clarita because I knew that there were so many things she would love. Turns out I was right! Last year we took her and while she enjoyed the people and bustle, she was too young to really appreciate the fair. This year she was better able to understand what was going on and what she was seeing.

She insisted on taking a picture with the giant pumpkins

Practicing her lassoing

The animals were, of course, a big hit. She mooed, oinked, and baaed away while pointing at the different animals. She liked the kid's area in the animal exhibits where she got to sit on a saddle and play in a corn pit!

There was a discovery zone (which made me sad to realize how unlucky we are to have lost the awesome kid's museum in Fresno years ago) complete with giant bubbles, lightening balls, and a crazy spinning tunnel. Clara loved the bubbles and insisted on trying to make them herself. She was not strong enough to life the giant metal wand, but got very upset when I tried to help her...such a stubborn girl. She really liked the tunnel and did not seem phased by the fact that it was spinning and created a dizzying effect. She also liked the lightening balls and insisted on touching both of them and watching the lights.

It just so happened that Snoop Dogg was playing at the fair the night we went. The concert area is in the middle of the exhibits and you can hear the music all over the fair. Clara loved the music and danced away (it was very child friendly as are all Snoop Dogg songs). She got to practice her dancing like a gangsta and I think it greatly improved!

I was not expecting Clara to be as enthralled with the rides as she was. I had high hopes of taking her on her first ride, but alas there were no little kid rides. She was mesmerized by all of the lights on the rides as well as the rides that went upside down and spun in circles. When the roller coaster that just went in complete circles over and over again stopped she said and signed "mas mas!" We knew we had a little daredevil on our hands, but I think she already wants to ride roller coasters!

Clarita got to try some different fair foods. She ate garlic fries (she opted to finish her peanut butter and jelly sandwich after a few), fried cheese curds (a big hit, I mean who doesn't love fried food?), and of course cinnamon roll (the best ones around). She is already dreaming of what she'll get to eat next year when she has more than four teeth!

mmm cinnamon roll!

It was a great night and Clara was exhausted by the time we left at 9:15. She fell asleep the second we drove off and didn't even wake up when I put her to bed. We love the fair!

Traveling Parents Equals Lots of Fiestas

Last week was quite crazy for Dada and Mama! Clara had a relatively unbusy week but there was only one night that Dada and I were home at the same time (and technically we went to dinner at Tia Laurie's and Tio Chino's so we weren't actually home)! Monday Dada had a work dinner and got home after Clarita went to bed. Tuesday I had to go to Napa for work (I know, rough life) and did not get home until 10:00 PM Wednesday. Thursday we were both home! Friday morning after Clara woke up (he wanted to say good morning before leaving) Dada left for a backpacking trip with Fafa and got back Monday evening. Whenever one of us is gone the other talks about all of the fiestas they will have with Clara. Needless to say, there were a lot of fiestas the last week and of course Clara won't tell what happened! She was super excited to have us both home with her Monday night!

While I was gone in Napa Clarita and Dada had a lot of fun that included taking lots of selfies (obviously, what else would they do?), playing at the park, reading lots of books, and lots of esnugles. And apparently having lots of chuponcito time...no wonder Dada is so fun!

Mama Clarita weekend was a hit as well! We started it off with a trip to Michael's to get some stuff for Tia Laurie's upcoming baby shower. We happened to be purchasing letters to make an alphabet wall and letters happen to be Clarita's new favorite thing! She had a great time telling us the letters she knew and even chewing on a few! We headed to Chipotle for dinner after and Clarita decided that she wanted Tia Laurie's burrito. She also wanted to dance and run around like a loquita!

A fun new toy!

On Saturday Clarita and I met Kate and Sophie at the zoo. It was a super fun day and Clara had so much fun! The monkeys were going crazy yelling up a storm and she thought it was hilarious and imitated them. She also loved holding Sophie's hand and petting all the animals (in the petting zoo) with her. Clara ran from animal to animal giving them each one pat (more if she decided she liked them) and making the appropriate noise. They also fed the giraffes and Clara only hesitated for a second before holding her lettuce up to the giraffe. She thought it was hilarious when the long giraffe tongue ate the lettuce! We had so much fun and the rest of the weekend Clarita talked about Kate and "Feefee." She even pretended to call them on the phone!

Telling me about her poopoo

Baza needs gafas t

Adios animalitos

Sophie is so good with Clara

Moo!

Sunday we went to church and then hung out, read a million books, and of course went to the park. It was a relaxing weekend for us both and I even managed to read two books (I tend to become obsessed and devote all my free time to reading)! We were ready for Dada to come home Monday and Clarita was so happy to see him that she insisted that he hold her even though he hadn't bathed in 80 hours! That's love!

Hat!

Trying on her new hat

Two seconds later she fell backwards and hit her head

Reunited!