Fun & Games at Short Pump

Today we went to Family Fun Day at Short Pump, lured by the promise of a free beach ball and a fun time.  We sure are easily bought, aren't we?  There is no need to mention that we could have bought a beach ball far cheaper than the gas it took us to get there.  That as we all know is a blog entry for another day.  Anyway the festival was such a blast - don't miss it next year!  It was well worth the gas, and that is a high compliment these days.

Everywhere you looked, there was lots to do and see -- a stage with an MC, booths, games, food, and a Spiderman a bouncy house.   There were lots of people too, but all ran smoothly despite long lines.  After a stint of playing at the train table at Kidkadoo, Sam's favorite thing was the Spiderman bouncy house, which was really pretty neat.  He liked it so much that we waited in line for a second turn.  The line had gotten even longer which was pure torture for him, as you can see from the picture.  Poor guy, realizing that he is not always the center of the world everywhere he goes.   Who enjoys swallowing that concept?  I spent the entire time talking to him, explaining, "Sam, we all have to wait in line.  I know you don't like to wait.  It's hard to wait.  I don't like to wait either.  Nobody likes to wait.  This is life, Sam -- we all have to wait our turn in line.  It makes things fair.  I know it's hard to wait."  And so on.  The guy behind us in line chuckled, "Those sure are some true things you are saying."  Needless to say, I did not encourage him to wait for a third bounce around the house.

Sam loves face painting, but judging from the line, everyone else there did too.  So we skipped it.  Next time we'll get in that line first.  We got in the food line, trying some Chinese orange chicken, spinning the wheel for Chick-Fil-A freebies, and testing out a Godiva chocolate shake. Not bad at all, but it's hard to mess up when Godiva chocolate is an ingredient.

Then we spotted the huge Chick-Fil-A cow on the loose.  Sam was enthralled, stopping in his tracks to stare.  I encouraged him to go up and shake his hand, and with a big smile he hurried up there and did.  With newfound confidence, he then went over to meet some other PBS characters, giving all three high-fives.  What a hoot!

By then it was time to get some chicken nuggets and hit the road so he wouldn't fall asleep on the way home.  And, yes, there was yet one more freebie waiting for us at Chick-Fil-A -- free ice cream, just the thing to keep him occupied on the ride.  It was the perfect sugary ending to a fun festival.   Plus we had our free beach ball!

LibbY