Aquarium fun turned Fair fun morning

We are having our kitchen repainted and needed to be out of the house this morning.  I had no idea where we were going, but when the paint crew walked in, Kendall announced that we were going to the Children's Aquarium - so we did!  And for a "mere" two dollars, I overcame my fear of stingrays and actually fed them something that looked a lot like cocktail shrimp.  Very odd experience - probably won't feed them again.  They sure do feel neat on their tops, though!  

 As we left the Aquarium, Kendall looked up at the gigantic Texas State Fair ferris wheel and said, "Oh, I wish I could ride that!"  Now I'll ride any roller coaster the kid wants to ride, but ferris wheels are another story.  Normally in August, I'd have been able to say no because the fair was not in town.  But the damn thing was running.  Turns out, they have opened part of the midway on the fairgrounds this summer.  And they charge $30 admission for an adult and $25 for a kid over 2.  Fortunately, either the woman at the ticket counter felt bad that I'd stood in line behind a difficult person for 15 minutes or she has no idea how to tell the age of a child because Kendall got in free.  And sure enough, headed for that ferris wheel.  I have now conquered a fear much larger than touching a sting ray today!  (won't be doing this one again either but can cross it off the bucket list)

Given the 100+ degree temperatures these days, it shouldn't have surprised me that the place was pretty much empty.  But it was shockingly nice weather-wise because it was cloudy and windy!  Kendall went on all the kiddie rides, where she seemed legitimately bored, and was often the only one on them.  There were no lines. 

Then she we went on all the rides that she was tall enough to ride (with an adult) and the only picture I got was on the kiddie coaster.  I was too busy trying not to throw up or pass out on the others.  It seems that my days of enjoying "spinny/put your stomach in your throat" rides are over.  

We finished the morning off with a ride on the sky-ride.  It hadn't occurred to me that the "cars" are glass/plastic boxes in the sun with little to no ventilation and that we'd cook in one of them.  We did.  And it rained while we were on it so then I was terrified we'd be stuck in the crock pot in the sky - thankfully we weren't.  

On the way out, we stopped to watch a really good puppet show which may have seemed better than it actually was because it was in an air conditioned tent.  By 12:30, the clouds were gone and it was HOT.

Kendall and I were really in need of this spur of the moment fun morning together.  It is also occurring to me as I type this that we won't have as many opportunities for these because her 5 day a week school starts next week!   Now ... to find someone to take to the State Fair with us this fall who will want to ride the rides with her ....