A Day at the Fair

This has been a busy weekend for Charles and me. Friday night we had a fun evening with Ava. Yesterday, we watched the Mississippi State/LSU game - that loss is still hurting. Then yesterday evening, Molly and I went to a sweet wedding in Taylor, Mississippi, followed by a fun reception at the Big Truck Theater.

Today, we headed to the DeSoto Civic Center for the Mid-South Fair (the first time it has been in DeSoto County). Mama, Daddy and I used to go to the Mid-South Fair every year, and it was so much fun at the fairgrounds with Liberty Land and its Zippin Pippin. It was very different at the Civic Center. We arrived right before the gates opened at noon and walked around just for a bit. I wanted to watch the catfish races, so we went to their tent to find out when the race would start...While there, we checked out the world's largest mobile aquarium...We then checked out all the food vendors and enjoyed some fair food. Charles bought us some lemonade...

and enjoyed a turkey leg...while I had a sausage dog...We then headed to the area with the rides. We walked around to check out our options then bought our tickets. As we were walking down to the rides we had decided on riding, I told Charles that I wished that they had a Scrambler. Mama and I used to ride it every year, and it was so much fun. As soon as I said it, Charles pointed out the Sizzler. We stepped right up and had so much fun! As we swung around we came so close to the operator that I had to close my eyes every time we headed in that direction because I thought we were going to hit him!
After a fun (and I'm sure hard on the ears for Charles -- I love screaming on rides like this) ride on the Sizzler, we headed to the Himalaya for more fun...
We ended with a ride much more our speed...

the ferris wheel!
We were the first people to board the ride...So, of course, we stopped in increments all the way to the top and back before the ride actually started...This allowed us to get a great view of Highway 55 and the fair...

When we made it to the top and stopped, I must admit, I got a little freaked out because there was no seatbelt or other kind of restraint. Thankfully, the ride actually started soon, and we both enjoyed the views and the breeze.

After enjoying the rides, we walked through the Civic Center to see the exhibits then headed back over to the catfish races tent. The races were supposed to start at 2:00, so we got there a few minutes before then. After waiting for a little while, one of the workers told us they decided to change the races to 2:30. Well, I really wanted to see the catfish races - I thought that would be the highlight of our trip, but we had already walked all over and seen everything. We had already wasted as much time as we could between the rides and 2:00, so we decided to just go ahead and leave. While I was disappointed about the catfish races and with the scale and variety of the fair itself, Charles and I enjoyed our day together.

An Evening with Ava

Last night, Brady went to see Disney on Ice, so Charles and I got a visit from Ava! We were so excited when she finally came over... I, of course, got the first hug...

but then Charles got to hold Ava for a little while...

Ava was hungry, so I got to feed her applesauce...

(I must admit, for my first real feeding, we managed to actually eat quite a bit of the applesauce!)

Then it was time for a nap...

Thankfully, nap time didn't last too long! Ava is so cheerful when she wakes up!

We decided to play and talk for a little bit...

Then she moved to her pallet where she had lots of fun showing her toes...

Toula got curious and wanted to see who was visiting us, so she ventured into the living room...

However, Ava was full of energy and was kicking her legs having a good time. Toula didn't know what to think of all those movements, so she took cover under the coffee table!

Ava then decided...

to roll over...

for the first time!

She was so proud of herself!

And got lots of cheers for her great accomplishment!

She was so excited about this new fun thing to do, that she just wanted to do it again...

and again...

and again! All that rolling over just wore Ava out, so she took a little nap...

Toula thought that with Ava sleeping, it would be safe for her to find out what was going on!

As soon as Ava woke up, she rolled over again!

We then had a little fun tummy time filled with smiles and giggles...

Then it was time to change Ava into her pajamas...

Then Ava and I "talked" about all kinds of things...

which made her thirsty. So, I gave Ava a bottle, and after a little cuddle time, Ava and Charles had a good "talk"...

and had some fun listening to the South Panola football game...

Ava was excited that the Tigers won!

We had the best time and were so glad that Ava visited us and shared her first roll over with us!

Welcome Fall!

Happy Birthday, Charles!

Friday, Charles celebrated a birthday! He started the day off by opening some presents... from me and from Toula...Then early that evening, Mama and Jerry took us to Country Catfish in Oakland so Charles could enjoy some delicious catfish....Charles enjoyed both his first plate and his second plate of fish!!Then Charles and I traveled to Jackson. We stayed with Matt, LeAnna and Patrick. Patrick was still awake when we arrived, so we spent some time playing with him...Charles had as much if not more fun than Patrick did! Patrick let Charles put him to bed, and even though Charles was supposed to be reading Patrick some bedtime stories, Patrick instead taught Charles a cute monkey and alligator song - Patrick shared it with me the next morning!
We got a great wake-up call Saturday morning from Patrick who let us know breakfast was on its way. Matt picked up some delicious doughnuts! Patrick wanted Charles to sit next to him to enjoy the doughnuts and chocolate milk - which Patrick told us gives him strong muscles which he flexed for us!After breakfast Patrick finished his chocolate milk while he and Charles watched cartoons in the playroom...Then we headed to Patrick's soccer game. The fields were wet, but thankfully, the rain held off so we could watch him play!
Patrick took the field...

The Dawgs (I know, didn't they get the best team name!!) huddled for their instructions...and then the game began...

The Dawgs played great! Charles and I made sure to wear maroon and white to support the Dawgs and even brought a couple of pom-poms to cheer them on with...It was so cute to watch the little kids play soccer! Since only 4 children per team could be on the field, Patrick was rotated out...
but cheered for his teammates from the sidelines!Patrick rotated back into the game...
and played some more...

After the game, Patrick got a "good game" hug from Charles...
and had a little fun being silly!We then went back to Matt and LeAnna's house so Patrick could change out of his cute little soccer uniform, and we could eat lunch.

Charles's mom drove up to meet us for lunch at El Sombrero. We had a great visit and a delicious lunch...It was so nice of her to drive up to meet us and treat us to lunch!

We then played a little longer with Patrick...

then stopped by to see Charles's dad and then headed home.

We hit Batesville around dinner time, so Mama met us at Zaxby's and treated us to dinner. We watched the MSU/Vandy game, and were so glad State won! Go Dawgs!!!

Since everyone treated Charles all weekend to birthday meals, I waited until Sunday to cook him a birthday dinner of steak with sauteed onions and mushroom and a baked potato...

and for dessert, a pound cake - his favorite!

Thanks to everyone for making Charles's birthday weekend special for him and for me! We had a great time!!