Mayfest in Fort Worth

Every year during the first weekend in May, the Fort Worth Junior League puts on MayFest. It's like an outdoor fair or carnival, with lots of rides, activities, a petting zoo, shows, and vendors selling all sorts of local goodies. We've been going since I was in middle school, but hadn't been in the last four years. We decided to make it a new family tradition again by taking the kids.

It was hot.

It was very hot.

We got there at 5 pm and were sweating effectively by 5:02. But we made it through and the kids both had a lot of fun. Since we got there right as the gates opened, the traffic and crowds weren't so bad and we were first in line at almost everything. It was excellent for the kids. I think the biggest hit was a tie between the petting zoo and the horseback riding. The biggest loser was the swings. They went too high and too fast and Scarlet was so scared, they had to stop the ride to let us off. She still reminds me that she didn't like the swings. Mind like a steel trap.

Daddy, looking super pretty.

Mini Man, watching all the passers-by and trying to stay cool.

Scarlet got a butterfly "tattoo" that covered the lower part of her arm. It was awesomely girly and she loved it.

Inside the petting zoo. Scarlet loved all the animals and wanted to "squeeze" everything in sight. These are the baby bunnies.

I'm pretty sure these are the chickens, which I just refused to let her hold or touch.

Her fascination with this pony was a bit concerning. She wanted to hold it and hug it and threw one of the worst fits when we had to leave. She "just wanted to love her, momma!!!"We tried to explain the quick and unpredictable temperaments of donkeys to her. I don't think she understood though. A corn dog had to be bought.

Most memorable moment = on the carousel with my girl.

The Great Bunny-Capade

As you all probably know by now, Waylen's family goes all out for Easter, inviting about 200-250 people out to their property for slow-cooked meats, the Easter bunny and a day-o-fun.

This year was no different. Waylen and I talked about Easter for quite some time before it arrived. We were really excited about the age both the kids are at and how excited they would be about Ms. Easter Bunny. After all, Scarlet completely befriended her and just wanted all the lovin' she could get.

Not the case. Both Scarlet and Will could not have been more terrified. I'm not sure whether we actually saw tears, but I'm sure we came close. It didn't stop them from hunting aggressively for the very best eggs, though!

The scene outdoors. That's Scarlet running away from the camera in a pink bow.

Showing Gumball our Easter baskets.

Must swing, even in a party dress.

Happy boys.

The race is on. "Let me at 'em."

You want to go look for some eggs, buddy? No.

Will stood still in the middle of it all for a while.

Showing Gumball all of our take!

Thank you, Easter Bunny!

This is about as close as she could force herself to get. Maybe next year!

Easter at School

Scarlet's little preschool is so good about scheduling special occasion parties to recognize holidays and special events. It gets the parents involved and gives the kids an excuse to eat cupcakes. This is a post about their Easter party.

Almost all the parents showed up for this one, which was so much fun. We helped hand out all the food for the brunch and then headed outside to hide all the eggs in the courtyard for the kiddos to hunt.

This is her classroom and all her little friends. Mrs. Tara and Mrs. Joanna are her teachers, whom she loves!

Prayer time! Thank you, God; Thank you, God; for our food, for our food...

She always sings the loudest, even with her eyes shut.

Her Gumball and cousin, Alex, surprised her by showing up for the party.

Will LOVES Scarlet's school. I am hoping it stays this easy to transition him into a class. 

Then everybody shows off their ring-a-round-the-rosy skills.

Everybody line up! When we say 'go'...

I'm pretty sure Scarlet didn't wait to hear 'go!'

Scoping out her territory and identifying all the opportunities for the very best eggs.

Having so much fun and very focused.

They are always so good about letting Will participate. He got to hunt, too (but had to forfeit the eggs to other children's baskets).

Super excited!!

Do you know how hard it is to get 12 two year olds to all watch the camera at the same time? This was the best photo we could get!

The Family Train Ride

Another great family event we were able to enjoy this Spring was a train ride with all the Days. Gumball, Bumpy, their kids and all the grandkids met right by the Fort Worth Zoo to ride the Trinity Train, a little train that takes about a 30 minute trip all up into the Trinity Park. I don't know that I personally expected that much from it since I had never been on it (yes, I've lived here for 25 years and never ridden the train!), but I was pleasantly surprised at just how much fun the experience was.

Here are some of my favorite pics of the day (and Days;-):

Gumball sitting with Kendall, Will and Scarlet waiting on the train to come get us.

Little Scarlet watching the Trinity River and sipping her water.

Big Will. I am sure he is watching the water here and pointing. He was fascinated by everything.

I love this photo. It would have been especially good if it had been in focus ;-) It looks like the focus was on the wrong thing because you can see the bridge behind us crystal clear!

Trinity Park.

Trinity Park waters.

I thought this photo was just cool.

All the happy little train riders.

The girls sitting on the bank of the Trinity River. Kendall, Addison's friend, Addison, and Scarlet.

Kendall Lynn.

Once off the train, we went over to the actual park where the kids played and we all ate lunch. It was a super day the kids (and adults) all enjoyed.

I just love this photo of Will and his Bumpy. I can only imagine what they're saying to each other.

Sesame Street Live

Back in September, for Scarlet's 2nd birthday (sniff, tear), her aunt Krista and family gave her (and us, by default) all tickets to go see Sesame Street Live at Nokia Theater in Grand Prairie. It was the entire Sesame Street cast including our favorite, Elmo.

Scarlet learned we were going about three days before the big day and I think Waylen and I both were very happy we chose to wait and tell her about going...those were very long days.

We went early the night of the performance because they had a special interactive area set up outside the theater where the kids could meet, dance and sing with the characters. We thought Scarlet would absolutely love it. She absolutely did not. She cried any time she even thought I was going to let her out of my arms. She said they were "scary."

Will on the other hand, wanted to kiss and hug them. I think he was hurt that he didn't get to. He kept saying "ooohhh" and "awwwww." It was super sweet and enjoyable to watch.

Here, Ernie and Rosita and hugging it up with some very willing kiddos, but Scarlet is hiding behind me (and the camera).

I highly recommend this show if you ever have the chance. It was very cool.

Once inside the theater, both kids were pretty mesmerized. For the hour-long show, Will was into it right up until the 45 minute mark (at which point, we politely excused ourselves).

Daddy's girl.

First Haircut

Since I am running SO far behind in posts, I sort of debated not posting anything old and just started over from this point; but we've had such a good and exciting few months, I just didn't want to miss out on the reporting. So, this week will be a catch-up n the five or six big things we've had happen since beginning of March.

The first one was Will's first haircut. I have this salon in Crowley called Rejuvenation Ranch that is really nice and they also do kiddo haircuts. So, I decided to take both of them when I was getting my own hair done.

Scarlet has had plenty of haircuts before, but her aunt Krista, who is a former beautician (and does a much better job), has always cut her hair for us. While this girl did a good job, we've decided to stick with our aunt Krista :-)

The kids did really well and I was very proud of Will for not crying. They were both definitely ready to go when it was over though. Here are some pics from the experience:

A Little Songbird

Scarlet is a little singer. She loves to sing and will turn anything into a song, especially everyday sayings. "I'm so hungry" or "my shorts are in the dryer" always get a melodic treatment.
Here are a couple of videos of her singing her favorite tunes.

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