Aug 2013: Fun, Food, and Fair

   We had so much fun in August doing so many things. It was a blast to just let go, and have fun the last few weeks before Joel would head back to school. We both really needed it. We started August by going camping for the weekend with Joel's godparents at Viking Lake. It has become our favorite place to camp. Joel's godparents have always camped there.

Joel and I camping

  I was very proud of my son while we went camping. They had a movie night one of the nights. Joel had made friends with a boy that was camping across from us. They had decided to go up for the movie. Joel's godparents and I stayed at the campsite to make supper, and get things ready for the next day. We knew that the boy's parents were going with them to the movie. So, I let him go. About 15 minutes or so into the movie I see Joel walking back to the campsite. I ask him why he wasn't at the movie with his new friend. He said, "Mommy, there were naughty words said in the movie, and God would not want me to hear that." It made me so happy that he mad that choice. Next thing I knew his new friend comes shortly later asking him if he wanted to still play. So, both boys decided playing tag and other things were more important.

Joel eating his corndog

Joel on the Giant Yellow Slide

Joel at the Iowa State Fair

   Next, we went to the Iowa State Fair. It is a family tradition for us. It start with my family when I was a little girl. We would go every year no matter what. We would have so much fun. So, I decided to carry the the tradition on with my little family. So, Joel and I go every year. We have such a blast. We had a lot of fun this year. We both were tuckered out for sure. With my heart issue we tend to rest a lot. Usualy when we were resting it was to eat, watch a show, listen to music, or just to watch people. Joel's favorite thing to eat is a footlong corndog. Believe it or not he can devour the whole thing.
  At the Iowa State Fair there is this Giant Yellow Slide. I remember riding it when I was a little girl. I could not do it with him due to my heart condition. So, I had to let him go up the hundred of steps to the top, and ride it down. Praying the whole time he walked up, and slid down. I have seen injuries that come off that slide. Joel was determined to do it. He did it, and loved every moment of it too. I wished I could of went with him. But I would of missed being able to take a picture of him riding.

Joel petting cow

Joel and the TARDIS

  Joel enjoyed seeing and petting different animals at the fair. Living in an apartment in town makes if very difficult to enjoy being around animals. Joel takes so much awe in seeing the various animals. From the petting zoo which has a few exotic animals to the barns that have the farm animals Joel enjoyed either petting them or feeding them. 

Joel on the Snowmobile

  We also went through a few other buildings to look at things. We went to the cultural building where they have many of the various arts and crafts. One of the guys from our church put some stain glass art into it; so we had to go see how he did while looking at other things. One of the cool things in the cultural building was the T.A.R.D.I.S. (If you are a Doctor Who fan you will know what it is). Joel had to have his picture taken in it. We also went to the Agriculture Building to see the famous Iowa Butter Cow, and the Varied Industries Building where Joel got to meet Dan Wordell (IPTV Host). Before we left the fair as we were walking out Joel got to do a Snowmobile simulation. He said it was the coolest thing. All in all it was a great day at the fair for the two of us.

Joel and I at Adventureland

Joel had been good pretty much the summer, and he had earned enough stickers on his chart to be able to go to Adventureland. We went with Joel's godparents, and his godfather's side of the family. We all had a blast. The last time Joel and I had gone he was around 2-3 years old. This time he got to enjoy it a little more. We rode so many rides. It sucks for me because there are rides I could not go on with him due to my heart condition. Joel rode a rollercoaster for the first time, and vowed afterwards that he will never do it again. We will see when he gets older. Joel and I enjoyed the lazy river together, and going down different water slides. We all had so much fun. 
   It was sad that our summer had finally came to an end as school started about a week and half later. I always say making precious memories has no price tag.