What a fair weekend it was...

This past weekend was the 167th annual Richmond Fair and Oscar's first chance to attend. Saturday morning was the parade from the High School to the Fair grounds and I took Oscar to see it. We got there a little early and settled in and we had a great time. I thought for sure when the fire trucks sounded their horns right in front of us he would get upset, but all that happened was that his eyes opened even larger and he just stared. I love being able to share that with him.

After the parade we went home for lunch and nap time for Oscar so he would be nice and rested for his trip to the fair in the evening.

Now does anyone remember their first trip to Ottawa Exhibition or anything of the like? It was a total assault on the senses of sight, sound and smell. Oscar was no different; we headed over to the carousel so I could take Oscar for a ride and I could tell he wasn’t his usual smiling self. We stopped at a kids game and the object was simple; the child just had to pick a rubber duck out of the little pool. Usually Oscar would love this, but it took a bit for him to grab one. He did win a cute little teddy bear that we added to his collection in his room. After the ride we went to the bouncy castles so that our friends’ kids could play in those; it didn’t go well for Oscar. He was on the verge of tears and the music and the lights and noise was just too much. I took him out of the stroller and put him in the carrier so I could keep him closer. He and I walked away and headed for a quieter part of the fair.  Once we were in the crafts building, he was smiling again and was almost back to himself. It had never occurred to me how overwhelming it all would be for the little guy. I felt bad and just wanted to hold him tight.

We grabbed some dinner and Lauren tried feeding him but we were still too near the loud rides and he just wouldn’t eat. Lauren suggested I take him away and feed him where it was quieter (we had brought some bottled milk with us). That worked and he ate and relaxed and then it was time to head home.

Hopefully next year he will enjoy it more; he will be around 18 months old and mobile.

All around, a Fair weekend.