Big day at the Florida state fair

Eric was out of town for the weekend but Emerson, Ethan and I did not hold back just because we were short-handed and first thing Saturday morning we headed over to the Florida State Fair to see some carnies and eat ridiculous deep-fried food.

We started off at the petting zoo where Emerson fed sheep, goats, a yak and a water buffalo, brushed a cow and we got to see newborn piglets.

From there we went to the bunny and bird building where Emerson was happy to pet a rabbit (that's the nondescript black blob) and was delighted by the giant geese until they started honking at him at which point he covered his ears and demanded we leave.

Then it was time for the rides! We got our sheet of 20 tickets and proceeded to put them to good use. Emerson is exactly 36 inches tall, the minimum height to be able to ride the kiddie rides. Given that he is unusually tall for his age, I think this probably means he is not really old enough to be riding them but after he strapped his own seatbelt on one of the rides, shocking the ride attendant, I stopped worrying about that.

Around noon Dianna and Lucy came to play and enjoyed the rides with Emerson (I had Ethan and he was not allowed on any rides, though given how much attention some of the attendants were paying I could probably have taken him on plenty of them).

After the Dumbo ride (which, for royalty purposes was called the "Jumbo" ride) we adjoured back to Bill and Mary Lou's place in Orlando for a delicious dinner and a fun evening. What a great day!