Small Things Can Seem So Big to Little Eyes

We recently completed a fun-filled weekend to a destination less than 90 minutes away for some good-old fashioned fun. It was courtesy of a county fair. We visited friends (who are also crazy enough to have four children) and made like hungry little caterpillars as we worked our way through an abundance of fair food. Snow cones, ice cream, street tacos, tamales, pork burgers, hot dogs, sweet corn, caramel apples, donuts, soda pop, kettle corn, candied pecans…seriously you name it and we tried it.

The best thing about the excursion was that my husband and I did not have to take out a small loan to afford it, and the event was enjoyable for all ages: one-year-old baby to adult. The county fair visit solidified in my mind that small things can seem so big. Especially to kids, therefore it is okay to pump the brakes on grand plans.

The County Fair

My husband has been getting antsy to take our kiddos to an amusement park for a few years now. We always have big plans to trek it to a Six Flags, but then the logistics of it all get in the way. We have a baby and a preschooler, plus a second grader and fifth grader. That means a variety of heights and tolerance levels. Not all of our kiddos are eligible to experience every ride,and if we are road tripping hours away for a fun vacation, we have to deliver the goods. And by goods I mean something more substantial than standing in long lines or sitting out while the oldest siblings experience the best attractions. Just thinking about the tantrums my 5-year-old would throw down are enough to make me avoid amusement parks forever.

Enter the county fair. The good ones have animals for petting, fried food for eating, and basic rides to make our party of six happy. Plus a county fair is available for multiple days and can be a destination that does not require plane tickets or long hours in the minivan. This recent county fair had a wildlife show, juggling act, and rodeo. Our kids all entered the fair for free and we old fogeys paid $10 each to enjoy everything. Food was affordable and nothing like the typical price gouging of movie theaters, concerts, or state fairs.

Scaling Down is Okay

So often I get caught up in trying to be this super cool mom or wife that I forget to make our plans actually enjoyable for myself, as well as my family. Big grand gestures are hard to tackle.

For example, I love the Red Sox and so does my entire extended family. Someday we will all go to Fenway, but in the meantime a high school, college, or minor league baseball game is enough. Three out of four of my children are really only good for about five innings of baseball watching, so it is better to save those green monster dreams for a day when we all will appreciate it.

Water parks are another destination that my family enjoys, but end with me wishing for extra hits of caffeine and a bathtub full of hand sanitizer. The constant moisture and stinky locker rooms make me squirm. There is nothing worse on this planet than having to change a swim diaper loaded with number two while your other kids scream about not getting enough turns on the water slide. I know, I am a wimp. Especially when it comes to water parks. It is just too many drenched people in a crowded space for my psyche.

But, I am not a monster. We go to water parks, but one thing I have found that seems to give just as much joy as water parks is a splash pad. Still wet, but if a person can time it right, there are usually limited crowds and more open air for general breathing purposes.

Another smaller option…water balloons or sprinklers. One-time even just a five-gallon bucket filled to the brim made for enough smiles and enjoyment.

Don’t Get Me Wrong, I Love the Big Stuff Too.

Disney holds a special place in my heart. And I cannot wait to try snow skiing someday with my kids. I will also never be one to turn down an all-inclusive trip. So I totally get that grand gestures can be amazing. It is just lately with my children the planning and preparing for things gets me into a bit of a funk.

I have to be better about finding what is best for me and my family. I mean, we have hiked together in Colorado with my baby boy kangaroo-slinged to my chest. Was it beautiful? Yes. Was it any better than the nightly walks we take around our neighborhood? Only mildly, and if I am really honest…not really.

My husband is always saying that kids appreciate the little things. A hill seems huge and a local forest holds the best adventures. We go to the river a lot and it is for sure not the ocean, but my children will still grow up with some pretty great memories.

There is a time and a place for going big with event planning and memory making, but there is also beauty in making things simple for myself and my family.