Today, Hubby and I took the kids to the county fair. I always enjoy seeing the animals. But what I enjoy more, is watching my children enjoy the animals. It is so fun to watch them interact with farm animals that they don't get to see on a daily basis. Daughter seems to gravitate towards the rabbits. I envision that someday she will have a bunny of her own and show it at the fair when she is old enough. Son likes goats. He thinks it is funny when the sniff and nibble at his toes. If my kids had their way, we would live on a farm. The truth is, I would love to live on a farm too. But that's just not in the cards right now. However, I do see a few animals in our future. We will have to start small though. I have no problem with rabbits or ducks. Maybe even a few chickens will be okay. But if we are going to raise anything larger, we are going to need to fence in a lot more land (and add a barn, etc.). Still, I have dreams of a hobby farm someday. I would like to start a little orchard, have a garden, a dairy cow, and a few hens. I don't care to be entirely self-sufficient, but there is something special about the food that you work for.
In addition to animals, there were plenty of games and rides for the kids. And of course, there is fair food (some of the best stuff on earth). We had a great day together. I have quickly learned that kids don't need an expensive toy or a big vacation to have fun. The county fair is free admission (or sometimes there is a parking fee), and it is a lot more educational than an amusement park. Don't get me wrong, I like amusement parks too. And we have taken the kids to one. I just don't think children should be accustomed to such trips. I want my children to be excited about simple outings like the fair, a state park, a lake, or even just playing on a swing set. My mom and I talked the other day about how easily kids get bored these days. When she was a kid, and even when I was a kid, you spent almost all day outside. You came in for lunch, went back out, came in for dinner, and went back outside until it was dark. Now kids want to be entertained. They don't want to entertain themselves. I am trying to keep my children form becoming like that. I want them to use their imaginations and be active. I don't want them to rely on the TV or video games, etc. to have a good time. There is such a large world out there with many wonderful things to see. These wonderful things are usually small things and they are different for everyone. They are the things that make you happy. For my children and myself, one of those things just happens to be animals. Think of us the next time you see a cow.
