Our day at the fair. (By: Jess)

Dear Leo,

Today you and mom spent the afternoon together. I don't really know how much fun you had or if you will even remember it..... But it left a lasting impression on me. I am in awe of you, buddy. 

Let me first explain where we went. We went to the Ware Shoals Catfish Festival. Mom works at a school, in a town called Ware Shoals, and every summer they have a big festival. Its a big deal. A really big deal. I have worked in in this little sleepy town for the past 8 years and I firmly believe that God himself lead me here. This place changed my life and I am so glad that you were able to be be apart of it for the first 2 years of your life. This is my (our) last year in Ware Shoals, as Mom is taking a new teaching job closer to our house. It will be so much easier on all of us, but it still hurts my heart to say "good -bye". You probably wont ever remember this town or the infamous "Catfish", but I can assure you I will.

All day I was so excited to take you to ride rides! I was nervous too, because you have never really ridden rides before and I wasn't exactly sure how you'd take it. You can be a little questionable sometimes. As soon as school was out, I changed clothes. I needed to be in comfortable clothes.... shorts, t-shirt, and tennis shoes..... because I was almost positive that sweat and a bit of running around would be involved. Chasing after you in a black pencil skirt and wedge heels would not be wise. At all.

I left school and headed to the local ATM. I knew it was gonna cost your dad us at least $40 to make this activity worth it. Dad ain't seen nothin' yet......

I left the ATM, with smoke coming off my debit card, and headed to daycare school to pick you and Cece up. I got you both loaded up in the car van and we headed to Miss Wendy's to drop off Cece. You threw a massive fit when you realized that Cece was going to Miss Wendy's and you were not. You had big ole tears rolling down your face and kept pointing out the window. You didn't settle down until you saw that merry-go-round.

When we got out, we went over to get matching ride bracelets. I got mine on and then I held your little arm in the window and the nice lady put a hot pink bracelet on your chubby wrist. You thought that was soooo cooool. So did I.

We did a few laps around the fair first... you were a little hesitant. I knew you would be... it always takes you a little bit to warm up to new and different situations. You kept pointing at everything and saying "Ohhhhh" and "Mama!". You walked a little, while I held your sweaty hand, but then you wanted me to carry you around, and I did.  Why not? Sooner than later you wont want me to carry you anymore anyway... might as well take advantage of the opportunity now.

Finally, you loosened up a bit and we rode the merry-go-round. You LOVE horses.... or as you call them "go-go's". (thanks to your grandpa and the Keenland Race Track!)  I set you on top of one of the "go-go's" and you wrapped your little hands around the pole and held on for dear life. I stood next to you and held on to your waist so you wouldn't fell off.

You were not so sure about this ride......

When the ride started up, a big GUSH of air from the hydraulics made a loud sound, and I could see the shiver of fear roll up your spine! It was a little humorous, but I held in my giggle. You looked at me, with an absolutely terrified face, and I said started reminding you that "it was gonna be OK" and "mommy is right here".

You didn't care and my words didn't sothe you like I had hoped. You lost total control. Oh well.... the ride kept right on merry-go-rounding and the carnvial music continued to play.

To my surprise (and yours) the merry-go-round went a tad fast. Like... making my hair blow and loose my balance a bit. You didn't like that either. That's when you screamed. And that's when I laughed. I remember thinking to myself, "DANG.... this thing is flyin!" Apparently the merry-go-round at Disney World and the merry-go-round at the Catfish festival are NOT the same quality.

Once the ride of terror was over several things were going on..... 1. my ears were ringing from your relentless screaming. 2. I was totally rocking a sweat mustache. 3. I had a giant bruise/lump on the back of my shin where I lost my balance and hit my leg on the foot rest of the "go-go" behind me. 4. I was looking for the nearest trashcan to barf.... I wasn't used to this "spinning feeling" while I was sober.

Side note regarding the merry-go-round: To the two women who were riding the merry-go-round and using the poles as stripper poles...... sick. I feel sorry for the child who was sitting in beteween you. Have some class. Moving on.....

After our tornado ride on the merry-go-round we continued to walk around some more, checking things out. You FINALLY warmed up to the choo-choo ride and the bumble bee ride.

Lets talk a minute about the choo-choo ride. You INSISTED that I ride this ride with you. You got in the little train car, I buckled you in, and you patted the seat next to you and said "mama?". I was screwed. I had to contort my body into a "c" shape and wedge myself between you and the edge of the seat. I felt like the picture below:

The carnie ride operator kept calling me "Mama" and winking at me. It was weird. We rode this ride..... 5 times. You loved it. It was worth it to see you steer the little steering wheel, beep the horn, and say "choo-choo" in your high-pitched voice. Oh... and my favorite part was when I asked you for a kiss. You puckered up your lips, and I leaned down and kissed you! I could have cried.

The too much colonge wearing, gum smacking, sweating, dirt under his fingernails, needs a haircut ride operator then asked me where your daddy was.

 I replied... "He's workin the late shift at the scrambler."

He nodded and said "I know how it is". 

He then unbuckled your seatbelt, picked you up and helped you out of the ride.

He called you "Little Man".

 It was at that moment  that I loved and appriecated your daddy even more than I did 5 minutes ago.

We rode and rode and rode and rode....... 3 different rides. Just going back and forth. Whenever we would get off a ride, the ride operator would say "see you in a little bit!".

You really wanted to go in the fun house, but you were not tall enough.

I know..... there is a height limit for the fun house? Yes...apparently there is. Maybe next year, buddy.

At some point we also played a game. I spent 5 dollars on a blow up spiderman doll. The game was a fishing game where "everyone is a winner".

By the look on your face, you felt like a loser.

You didn't even want to play.... but I felt like a complete bieotch walking past and ignoring the carnie game operator about 15 times. She made me feel like a rotton mom cause I wouldnt let you play, so I finally gave in to the peer pressure (I was never really good at deling with peer pressure....).  You stuck the fishing pole in a baby pool filled with a bunch of rubber ducks (who had seen better days) and pulled one out.

 "WINNER! WINNER! WE HAVE A WINNER!" was what the lady yelled into her microphone.

 It scared you and you looked at her and cried. I grabbed the spider man and left.

Then came back 2 minutes later and got you. Then left again.

Finally, after about 2 hrs of ride riding excitment, I decided it was time for us to leave. You did not agree. I tricked you by telling you there were "more rides over here". You believed me for about 5 minutes, but when you saw your carseat, I knew the jig was up.

 You were sad to say good bye to the fair... you waved and your lip trembled. I told you that we were going to get your sissy and see Miss Wendy and you seemed OK with that.

Overall... it was a great afternoon spent with you. A memory I will forever have. I love you so much, Leo Beck,that it hurts my heart.