Day Eleven - Happy Birthday!

THE STATE FAIR!  I've lived here for six years and this was my first time going to the State Fair!  Who knew how massive it was going to be?  I had no idea that people actually map out strategies before they arrive.  The girls and I loaded in the car and headed down around 11am– first mistake!  We should have gone when it opened, perhaps less sun and less people! 

I had planned to stay just a couple of hours because I don't usually like big crowds.  I quickly discovered that two hours wouldn't be nearly enough.  Second mistake–I should have hired a sitter for my nine month old.  There were rides that I would have enjoyed riding, but of course, couldn't with the baby. 

I also should have packed a lunch and cold drinks.  For three people, we spent almost $40 on food that wasn't very good:)  Add that to the $7 per person advance purchase ticket(totaling $21).  Stay with me, we're up to $61.  Because two of my girls wanted unlimited rides, I bought them each an arm band for $22–$44 for both.  We're up to $105...Then, there was cotton candy for $5....and personalized bracelets for $10 each...and caricatures for $10 each...that's $140 we're up to...Then of course, they had to have temporary tattoos for $5 each and we can't forget $7 bungy jumping...of course that's not included in the $22 "unlimited ride"  armband....and at that point, I stopped counting...

We left the fair, then headed to Starbucks for free birthday drinks!  YAY Starbucks!!!...then to meet my daughter's best friend for a sleepover at our house, then to a tumbling class and finally to my eight-year-old's choice of restaurants for dinner...couldn't do without the wings at Applebees!  We finally made it home around 11pm and were all exhausted!

As the day came to an end, my daughter said to me...this was the best day of my life!  Over $200 later, all I could think at that moment was:  "PRICELESS!" 
Looking forward to Day 12!