Iowa State Fair!

Last week began our "back to reality" check!  I know all of you are feeling SO sorry for me...it's okay if you aren't...cause I am!  We had 2 days at home before heading back to work/daycare.  Naturally it was rainy the first day so the pool was out.  We ended up meeting Matt for lunch that day.  Then Tuesday we had haircuts and went to the pool for one last hurrah!  I'm sure going to miss the laziness of summer!

Wednesday was my first day back...reality check #1!  The boys both went to Jo's.  It was very easy to get them up and going, they were very excited to spend their days with Jo, the girls, and the kids!  I enjoyed each and every moment of having only ONE drop-off and pick-up...since that's coming to an end soon!  Thursday was a crazy day.  Zane had Back to School Night and I had Parent Orientation.  Zane's started before mine, so I was planning to go for a little bit before heading to mine.  Everyone else had the same idea as us...go early.  We got there and there was a HUGE line out the door (they had the doors locked).  Then I realized I left all of his supplies at home, so Matt had to go back home to get them.  Then when we went in, we found out his teacher is Ms. Thomas so we headed toward her room.  When we got to the room, there were so many people in there that we couldn't even get in the room!  That made Zane very uncomfortable and he was clinging to me.  Not what this Mama needed!  We made our way in and found his desk.  I began reading the letter his teacher wrote him...started crying...so skipped ahead and put the school supplies in their place.  We were supposed to go around the room to get acquainted, but there was NO ROOM TO  MOVE...and I was needing to leave...so we just left.  I got to school at 6:10, which was when my meeting was to start, with parents lined up on both sides of the hallway waiting on me...whoops!

Wow, he looks SO excited...NOT!  I hope it was just that he was overwhelmed with all the people!

After work on Friday, we headed to Des. Moines for the Iowa State Fair.  This is something we do every year...it's kind of a family (okay Iowa) thing!  Matt has been there every single year since his birth (starting at 10 months old), so we hate to quit going now!  The boys were really excited to sleep in the camper, see Grandma/Papa, and ride tractors!  Honestly, Mason could have just ridden the shuttle buses, climbed up and down on the tractors, and left a happy kid!

My oldest "deere"

My little "deere"

Little farmers!

Zane thought we weren't going to let him out!

But Mason played along!

Matt & Mason going down the big slide

At the bottom...I thought this picture was funny!

Zane (upper left) and Adam (middle) on the big slide.  Adam met us at the fair Saturday and Sunday!

On the shuttle bus...headed down to the fair!

Watermelon...so refreshing!

Mesmerized by the trains!

Corn dogs...best ever at the fair!

Why feed yourself when Grandma will hold it for you?

Mason stopped by this huge inflatable Scope bottle and said "take mine picture"

We were standing there talking when Mason walked up to Zane, hugged him, then they started dancing!

Goofy boys!

Zane on the big tranpoline!

Zane was SO proud to finally figure out flipping!  He worked and worked at it and kept getting so frustrated!

Mason was NOT a fan...Zane ended up getting to have his turn for him!

Another fair favorite...cotton candy!  This time seen as a mustache!

Zane-isms

• One day we were having lunch at home and Zane wanted a regular cup.  He said, "I'm going to drink like a real man!"
• Zane had a toy that wasn't working so I told him he'd have to have Dad fix it when he got home.  He said, "Dad is a genius!"
• Matt took the boys to Cars 2 the other night.  As they were in line waiting to get their snacks, Zane looked up at Matt and said, "This is like a dream!"
 

Mason's Marvels

• I was playing with Mason with his tractors and I couldn't get something to work.  Mason said, "Dad will get it when he gets home.  He's superman!"
• Mason's been doing everything he can possibly think of to NOT fall asleep at night!  He'll say "Mom, you didn't read me a book.  Dad, you didn't read me a book.  Mom, you didn't rock me.  Dad, you didn't rock me.  Mom, lay with me.  Dad, rub my tummy..." and on and on and on.  Sometimes this goes on for almost 2 hours!  The other night he knew I was getting ready to leave his room, so he started crying for Matt, and I told him Dad wasn't coming in again.  He looked at me and said, "Well you're mean!"  I said "No I am not" and he said, "See, you're mean!"  Then after I left he came to our room crying and said, "Mom, you're mean.  You're making me sad!"  Seriously!  Deep breaths...