We have a lot of traditions in our family. Not traditional traditions but they are ours and I love them. Always splitting the first strawberry out of our garden each spring, ice cream sundaes on Sunday night, our annual Summer of Fun list, you get the picture.
This year, it looks like my children have pulled the plug on the most nightmarish tradition and I’m actually a bit sad about it. Our annual visit to the Montgomery County Fair.
You see, we’ve been going to this fair for at least 12 years. Our first visit started innocently with our “suck the marrow out of life” neighbors the Madaras’. We started an annual trek, bringing our kids, having our husbands meet us with dinner, riding the rides and seeing the animals, getting the free items in the barn when we got too hot to be outside, seeing who’d get lost (Mark), see who’d eat too much (Hannah). It was fun!
To make it more horrible and fun each year, we would try to beat our record and see if we could stay longer than we had the year before. Two years ago we got to 10 hours and 45 minutes! That’s a lot of smelling animal butts, cigarettes and funnel cake let me tell you.
So this year, I did my usual research to determine which day was $20 wristband day ( its Monday) and planned to take the day off from work. I announced to the kids the BIG plans and I was met with more than a bit of resistance. I expect that from my 15 year old daughter, however, even my 12 year old son wasn’t jumping up and down. He finally said “he would go with me if I wanted.” WHAT?!? “I’m doing this for YOU” I say.
But am I really? I think I’m just trying to keep up our traditions, especially as I see that they are growing up and some things are changing. A bit of boredom at the beach without a friend, less interest in playing Yatzee with the family (o.k. NO interest), little desire for a spur of the moment trip to the ice cream shop, etc.
I guess I’m going to have to suck it up and realize that this is a tradition that might have seen its last day. You think I’d be happy to say “Goodbye Carnies! See you later swollen ankles! Later on $8 lemonade!” But I’m not.
In fact, I just read this to my husband and started choking up ABOUT THE FAIR..
Anyone need me to take their kid?
2 comments… add one
Kay Schmid August 9, 2013, 8:38 pm
GREAT post, Kristen!!
Denise Madaras August 10, 2013, 1:14 pm
Wow! I just talked to my kids and even my animal lover, Olivia, said she would be ok with missing the fair, cause she wants to visit her Nonna in PA this week.
I heard they are not letting people bring in food from outside so easily anymore. What?? No more Chick-Fil-A at the fair with the Crooks?!
What’s a mom to do? Guess I’ll drown my woes in Starbucks. Never mind, I think I’ll buy some Yummie Tummies instead – tomorrow starts Tax Free Shopping week in MD!