Benton County Fair

Benton County Fairgrounds

Jason and I decided to take the family to experience Arkansas's finest at the Benton County Fair this weekend!  It was 101 degrees and probably not the smartest idea, but we had talked it up with Taylor and she really wanted to see some pigs, so we packed it up and went Saturday afternoon!

I grew up going to the Orange County Fair, and let me just say, this really can't compare to what they can do in California.  However, for a Fair in Arkansas, it was pretty great!  It had pretty much everything you'd want at a Fair - Corn Dogs, Fresh Squeezed Lemonade, Rides, and even a FFH farm animal area (no fair photo booth Wendy which was a bummer)! 

We decided to eat first, and that made Taylor so anxious!  She kept on asking when we were going to ride the horses?  However, the Corn Dogs and Fresh Squeezed Lemonade were a pretty good distraction for her and Addison.

Enjoying a Jumbo Corn Dog

Yummy Fresh Squeezed Lemonade

Even Addie got Lemonade in her Sippie Cup

We started off by riding the Merry-Go-Round:

Taylor's First Merry-Go-Round Ride

 This was the only type of horse she wanted to ride.  She was NOT interested in riding the real horses!

Addie yelling for Tada and Dada

Sweating like a mad woman!

Then Taylor really wanted to ride the Big Swing.  We were a little nervous about her freaking out on it, but decided to let her do it since she was so insistent.  She did awesome!  Jason said that she was giggling during the entire ride!

Giggling on the Swing

Running from ride to ride

We then took a break from the outside heat and was able to experience the inside heat of the barn area.  Addison was "big eyed" looking around at all the animals, but Taylor freaked out when the doors opened to the Cows.  Daddy had to carry Taylor around all of the Cows, but she did walk around the Goats & Pigs.

Scary Cows

Addison checking all the animals out

Big ol' pigs

Taylor waving to the pigs

Petting the goats

We finished off the Carnival by riding the Ferris Wheel, and then got Addison to experience her first Bouncy House! 

Riding the Ferris Wheel

Bouncy House

Big girl at the Bouncy House

Good job Arkansas, we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves at the Benton County Fair!

Heading Home!

Our Little Ballerina!

We signed Taylor up for her first Ballet/Tap class, and I've got to admit, I don't think I've ever seen her more excited about anything!  Grammy bought her the CUTEST Ballerina outfit!  She loved wearing it so much that I had to essentially hide it from her so that she wouldn't wear it out before classes even began!

Taylor is in a Ballet/Tap class that lasts for 30 minutes, once a week.  It is for 2-3 year olds, and we have two friends that are taking the class with Taylor - Lizzy Dorey (Paul and Sarah's daughter) and Zoe Miller (Trent and Sarah's daughter). 

Taylor couldn't stop talking about ballet the day of her class.  She was screaming with excitement, it was so cute! 

A little pre-class practice at the house!

Taylor and Lizzy before class began

Stretching

The teacher, Ms. Lane, did a great job at getting the kids to listen and have fun being princesses!  When Ms. Lane told the girls to "point their toes," Taylor bent down and literally "pointed to her toes."  It was so funny!

Taylor's version of a Demi-Plie

Zoe, Lizzy & Taylor were the leaders in the class

A great first day of dance class!

Addison starts walking!

I can WALK!

Well, she did it!  Addison started walking a few weeks after turning one years old!  She may only take a few steps, but she gets so happy when she does it!  It could be because Taylor and I scream with excitement when she walks, so it has turned into this daily event that is so fun for all of us.

After a few steps, it always turns into a crawl

Addison's 12th month has been so much fun!  She continues to get into everything, but really understands us now.  For example, we can tell her to go find Taylor, say goodnight to the puppies, or to play peek-a-boo with us, and she can do it.  Addison and Taylor have also started to play together now.  Addison will climb up to the chair to have tea with Taylor, however, we are constantly having to tell her to stop standing on the chair!  haha!  It is so fun to watch the girls together, we hope that their relationship will continue to grow stronger through the years.

She truly makes us all smile!