He's a Real Minnesotan Now

Not long after we moved to Minnesota, we learned that REAL Minnesotans go to the State Fair. No. Scratch that. REAL Minnesotans take days off of work to go to the State Fair, go multiple times (in a twelve day period), and passionately debate the relative merits of the Miracle of Life barn.

We've done our best to assimilate to the Minnesotan way of life and as much as we love it here, I think we'll always be Californians. But that doesn't stop us from going to the fair (we just limit it to once a year and we don't take any days of work, thankyouverymuch). Babies don't stop us from going, either, apparently.

Here's sort of how the conversation went this year:
Liz: Are we going to go to the fair this year?
Lindsay: Yeah... I was thinking we could.
Liz: Is that a crazy idea?
Lindsay: I think Jude would like it.
Liz: Yeah, but how do we get there?
Lindsay: I think we can just take the bus like normal.
(notice that Lindsay is acting like there's no reason why we shouldn't go. Deep down, she's waaaay more nervous about taking a 6 month old to the largest event in the state that I am)

But we did it... and here's what I learned:
1. Buses and babies aren't that scary. You just fold up the stroller (thank goodness we have one that folds up easily and compactly and stands on its own) and hold the kid on your lap (we opted to put Jude in the carrier)

2. You can be in the middle of the midway, and your baby can snooze away.

3. If your baby does happen to wake up in the midway, he's going to think you've taken him to the craziest place on Earth.

4. Mommy can win a super awesome prize for you

5. Babies can eat food on a stick, too


6. At the end of the day, babies and grown-ups alike are dirty, exhausted, and ready to go home
7. But not before making friends with the baby sitting next to you on the bus on the way home

They don't call it "The Great Minnesota Get-together" for nothing....

Until next year, little Jude.