State Fair 2011

We decided to play hooky on Friday to head over the State Fair before it got too crazy with the weekend crowds. The kids had a blast as usual and we got our years worth of fried food. The featured foods this year were fried bubble gum, brownies and kool aid. We didn't try any of those, but I did get a picture of the kool aid!

First things first - we sought out the Krispy Kreme Burger









On to more fair fare...



Deep fried mac-n-cheese {nice little savory bites, too salty to have more than 1}







Deep fried Reese's Peanut Butter Cups {heavenly}









The best candy apple stand, located by the lake. $6/apple, but definitely the best at the fair. 3 out of 3 monkeys agree.



The girls both picked granny smith apples dipped in caramel AND in chocolate genache, then covered in sprinkles. The caramel chocolate combo was pretty fantastic. They had so many others that looked decadent too. The guy that was making the apples said his favorite was dipped in caramel, then chocolate, then rolled in nuts. Sounds like a good thing to experiment with at home!









This is the deep fried Kool Aid. I would have loved to have tried it, but realistically, look how much is in there?!



Food aside, we had some other fun too...









We love the carousel, always have...







I love this moment. The girls were getting ready to go in a fun house and they were both a little scared and unsure about it. I absolutely adore how they support and depend on each other. {melt}



I thought these two were so cute, so I asked if I could take a photo of them at work in their rootbeer stand. Turns out I know their son very well. Super sweet folks!



Goofballs come out of the woodwork there is a camera around:



The girls thought she was the swamp ghost from James Carville's "Lu and the Swamp Ghost." They were fascinated!



End it with the obligatory group shot that no one wants to make easy ;)

Eva's Invitational Meet

Eva qualified to swim in the North Raleigh invitational meet in July. Admittedly we were a little worried since she seemed to get slower as the summer progress, but she surely proved us all wrong. Watch her fly through the water and take this heat. Despite being in one of the slowest heats, this swim managed to secure her fourth place overall. We're very proud.

Stella's Dance Gala

Finally I had an opportunity to publish the video from Stella's Gala in June.

Enjoy.

Eva's 1st Swim Meet

Both kids are swimming for the University Club this summer. The first meet was great to watch! Between the two of them, they swam at least 7 races, 6 of which were first heat. Lots of fun, loooong day!

Look at that game face. She looks so serious!

This is her stroke - back stroke...







Mickey is far too fast and doesn't spend a whole lot of time out of the water for me to get any good pictures. Well, at least not when it's dark outside with my super huge lens. I'll try again at another swim meet where I have a little space + a little sun!

Kindergarten Graduation

Another milestone achieved. Eva graduated Kindergarten. Not only did she graduate Kindergarten, but she received an all around perfect report card as well as a PACK award for "K" - Keeping a Positive Attitude for the year. Her teacher, Mrs. Brann, pointed out that she always kept a smile on her face, no matter what was going on or how difficult or frustrating things they were working on happened to be. That pretty much sums up Eva - she does EVERYTHING with a smile on her face. We are extremely proud of her and I know I could learn a lot from that little positive attitude!

Eva with Mrs. Brann, her teacher, whom she absolutely adores:



Mrs. EB soaking up a little bit of Eva's sweetness:



The girlies with Miss Ward:



What do you think? She looks happy to have graduated to me!