Huzzah!

I love Fall. It is my favorite season and I look forward to it every year. Fall is also a very busy time for our family - but it's a fun busy time.

Last weekend Grammy Jo and Papa came to visit. First, my husband, Papa and the little man ventured out to the speedway on Friday afternoon to watch the qualifying for the big race that weekend. Little man was napping when they arrived to pick him up from preschool, but managed to rub the sleep out his eyes once he realized Papa was there to pick him up.

While the boys were watching cars go zooom, Grammy Jo and I managed to entertain ourselves at the local shops and enjoy a nice grown-up lunch sans sippy cups, messy faces and toys.

I almost didn't know what to do with myself.

Almost.

The next day we again loaded up the car for an adventure. We decided to take advantage of the great Fall weather and venture out to the local Renaissance Festival. Grammy Jo and I took the little man last year, which ended up mostly in disaster. The Renaissance Festival is definitely no fun with a grumpy 2-year-old who insists on walking everywhere ... and in whatever direction mommy isn't going.

But, another year older and with daddy and Papa as reinforcements, we decided to give it another try this year.

And oh, what a difference another year makes.

While the Renaissance Festival is something fun and different for the family to do on a nice fall day, we forget the magic such places can hold for little ones.

The little man was amazed at all of the costumes, animals and games. He looked on with wide blue eyes at the juggler on the street, smiled in amazement when the "Queen of England" stopped to say "hello" to him and cheered on his favorite horse and Knight (Sir Mitri and his horse, Guinevere) at the joust.

{Not only did Sir Mitri and Guinevere win, but we also got to meet them after the joust.}

The day was also full of bright colored lollipops, animals rides of all sizes and shapes, fairies, dragons and pure magic.

And smiles as far as the eye could see.