We've been keeping busy with cool indoor and wet outdoor entertainment, key to surviving the sticky July that has descended upon us. On days when we're just not up to dragging out the whole pool and watching the water meter tick as we fill it, we've had some fun with a simple sprinkler. The first one broke after being stepped on too many times, but was quickly replaced with a cheap, flat model that probably would be useless at actually watering a garden, but is perfect for boys running and leaping.
This week also marked the annual Johnson County Fair, an event we barely even knew existed before we had kids, but now would not miss. The boys got to see one of their favorite firefighters and found out that he'd been promoted since the last visit. So they've had to modify their role playing to "Captain Jason" instead of mere "Firefighter Jason." Good thing they've met plenty of other firefighters in our frequent visits to the station; there are enough names to go around, including finally one for me. I get to be "Battalion Chief Tina." I can't tell you how pleased I am that the first female firefighter they met was the boss!
There was plenty of farm equipment on hand at the fair. Edward was suitably impressed with the size of the tires on this combine. Daniel was more interested in climbing all the way up, which was fine until we had to figure out how to get him down.
But it was not all fun and games at the fair this year. When it came time for the rides, Daniel was determined to follow Edward's lead and bravely got on the tilt-a-whirl with John and Ed. John reported that as soon as it started moving, Daniel said, "Daddy, I'm done!" but he didn't cry and got off saying he liked it. But then he would not be dissuaded from this "roller coaster."
It's not big, but it was definitely scary. On the third time around after seeing this face, we flagged the operator who stopped the ride to let him off.
He was going to keep going for Edward and the other kid, but they decided they'd had enough as well. Beware the crocodile! We tried to persuade him to go back to one of the tame rides like the car he'd already ridden so he would not leave with that fear, but he was done.
So Ed used up the rest of the tickets. He remains adamant that pink is his favorite color and was thrilled to be able to select his motorcycle for his ride. He did ask about the helmet, but we explained that a ride is different from an actual motorcycle, so he didn't have to call out "bad choice" to himself.
Another first for all of us that evening was the "tractor pull." For the city folk out there, this is an event wherein drivers of various vehicles (including tractors) vie to see who can pull a weighted, flat trailer the farthest across a dirt field. The part we saw was pick-up trucks; we didn't stay long enough for the tractor part of the event. Although I've lived in Iowa long enough now that I truly think of myself as an Iowan, my urban roots were showing at my absolute amazement at the crowd gathered to watch this spectacle. I kid you not, there were at least 1,000 people in the bleachers and up the grassy hillside next to the field. It was quite loud, and soon after we sat down, someone behind us offered us ear plugs for the kids (who were clamping their hands over their ears--lots of practice on that this summer!) We thanked him, but explained that we weren't staying long. Two pulls and we were gone.John took Edward to his first movie in the theater on Friday afternoon--Toy Story 3. They both had a great time, and Daniel was basically none the wiser. He knew Dad and Edward were "out" and we met them for dinner after the movie, but I don't think he realizes that Edward's obsession with Buzz Lightyear was renewed by anything other than the DVDs of the first two movies they've both seen at home. Well, Daniel has seen snippets. He never sits still for more than about 10 minutes, which is perfectly fine. Actually, Ed had never seen an entire movie in one sitting either, but John said he did fine. (For those who have seen the movie, John claims he did not cry at the end, but "it was close.") Edward has temporarily turned his firefighter gear into Buzz Lightyear gear and has added an unsharpened pencil, which serves as his laser. Before it is deployed, a warning is frequently issued: "I'm going to "laze" you!"
Even before the movie theater, "Toy Story" almost complicated my life. Edward's class had earned a prize for good behavior and voted on "costume day" as their treat. A week in advance I started reminding Edward that if he wanted to dress in anything other than his firefighter costume he had to let me know soon so we could figure out another costume. I could just picture a bedtime request the night before! So three days in advance, he timidly said he'd changed his mind and wanted to be "a farmer." I asked what that would entail and he detailed "a hat, boots, and vest with black and white spots." Oh. No. He's describing Woody, the cowboy. Did I want to go shopping for and/or spend money on cowboy boots & hat or try to fashion some sort of acceptable vest??? Not in this lifetime. Think. Think.
"Hey, Edward. What if we tied a rope around your swim ring and you could wear your swimsuit and a visor AND a whistle. You could be a lifeguard!!" Lots of build up here. Breathless. Dramatic. Hook, line and sinker. He totally bought it. The only thing was that he insisted that lifeguards wear red swimsuits and he has a blue one and a brown one with sharks all over it. Hmmm... Well, he figured that one out on his own--he has a pair of mesh athletic shorts that are black and red, and this was deemed acceptable. At the last minute, we realized he could wear them inside out and they'd be all red. A hit! I did buy the shirt for $3 on summer clearance, but even then he almost didn't wear it because it wasn't red.
My summer class ended Wednesday, and I now have four weeks off before the fall semester. Lots of reading to catch up on before I dive back in!
