The Sandwich Fair

We had a wonderful day today at the Sandwich Fair. New England has a number of excellent fairs but this one is the best by far. My family has been going to the Sandwich Fair all my life and until they died my grandparents worked there, managing the honey and maple syrup exhibits. 

In a field outside the fair

We wanted to get an early start today so Camille came and slept over last night. The boys were thrilled to have Grandma over and Sam sat by our bedroom door all night just waiting to go down and see her again. Christian and Sam woke up at six which was a little too early but despite that rough start we were able to get out only a little later than planned. (If you don't know why waking up an hour early can make you late then you are probably a morning person.)

Christian and Daddy at the fair

Today was Children's Day at the fair which meant a special discount on rides. So our first stop was at the Midway. Will and Jon are tall enough now to go on any ride, and they were in heaven. The first ride they went on was a fast bobsled ride that I loved as a child. It is funny to see so many of the same rides still here over twenty years later! After that Will and I went on Air Force One together, a very fast pendulum ride that also spins you. Will was in heaven and kept yelling "whee!" even as the man next to him was freaking out. But the boys favorite ride was the Starship Express, a centrifugal force ride, which they rode again and again. I used to love that too when I was their age but once I turned 13 spinning rides began to make me sick.

Will and Jon on the bobsled ride

They loved the fast rides

Ready to fly

Christian had a slightly harder time at the fair. He is too short for the rides his brothers loved and too old for the little kid rides he used to love. But he did go on a couple kid coasters, a spinning boat ride with daddy, and the Merry-Go-Round with both me and Grandma. When Christian and I went on we pretended to race our horses and had a wonderful time teasing each other. At one point Christian stretched his arm out and leaned toward me. I thought he was going to try to pull me off my horse but instead he pulled me in for the sweetest kiss. I love him so much.

My Christian

Grandma and Christian

Christian enjoying a ride

The best ride though was the bumper cars. The line was terribly long but so worth it. Even Grandma went on with us! Christian wasn't quite tall enough to be in his own car but he and James made a good team. James sat in the passenger seat laughing as Christian steered their car with a maniacal grin on his face. Bumper cars are the best fun. We all drove crazily around, crashing into each other and laughing. It was perfect. And the ride was nice and long so we all felt perfectly satisfied as our cars slowly came to a stop.

Grandma chooses her car

Look out! Jon is behind the wheel!

Will driving

Christian crashes into Grandma

Head on collision 

After hours on the Midway, and our last ride on the Ferris Wheel, it was time to get some lunch. The Sandwich Fair has amazing food. Some cheap, some really expensive, but all very good. Our recent favorite place has been the Common Man tent which makes amazing mac&cheese as well as come excellent burgers. But we found a new place today that made delicious clam chowder and pulled pork. We had quite a feast.

Midway from the Ferris Wheel

From the Ferris Wheel

Will and Christian on the Ferris Wheel

Will's view

Mommy and Christian on the Ferris Wheel

The boys were refreshed after our meal so we headed over to see the animals. We watched jumping in the horse ring and got to pet cows, goats, pigs, sheep, and miniature horses. Christian loves all animals but was especially interested in petting the cows. I'm always a little nervous about him approaching big animals from behind but he was careful and quiet. Will was entranced by the miniature horses and we ended up paying two dollars each so the boys could go in and brush them. I was surprised at how long and how carefully the boys brushed the horses. Christian and Will gave them each a hug as they left. 

Mini horse grooming

They loved brushing the horses

After the large animals the boys begged to go into the rabbits and poultry house. The last two years we've come home with a rabbit and once again we found some cute bunnies that we wanted to take home. But James was firm, thank goodness because I was overcome by bunny cuteness, and we left without a new family member. Of course there is always next year...

Jon, "Mommy, Why do female turkeys find this attractive?"

Finding Charlotte in the pig pen

In addition to the animals we also went into most of the exhibit halls. We saw the place where my grandparents used to work, visited the 4-H area, and admired the large number of handmade items for sale. The boys were especially fascinated by a man making pottery to sell. They watched him make numerous items so intently that I was worried they would accidentally touch the tray of things waiting to be baked. But they were good and it is an amazing thing to watch.

Tired boys

We were all getting tired but before we left we enjoyed some horse pulling, which is always fun, and grabbed our favorite fair desserts. There are so many good things that it was really hard to choose but finally we settled on candy apples, apple crisp, and fried dough. You just can't beat the classics. 

After we left the fair but before we started for home we stopped at my grandparents' grave. I love the Sandwich Fair but it is always a little bittersweet for me. The Hodge building at feels much emptier without them. And to get to the fair we always pass by their house which has so many wonderful memories but is now forever closed to me. Though I suppose that doesn't matter because it too would be empty without them. 

My Nana and Grandpa

The grave though was nice, if one can say that about a grave. It is in the corner of a small mossy cemetery surrounded by trees. A perfectly peaceful place. Not that they are there of course. But it was nice to see their names and remember. I wish my children could have known them. But my kids have wonderful grandparents and are making memories of their own.

Me and my boys at the graveside

Well, that is it for today. I valiantly stayed awake with James while he drove home and it was hard work, let me tell you! We did have to stop once though at a little lake so James could get some pictures. Another reason for the superiority of the Sandwich Fair is that it is always during the height of fall foliage. The trees here are simply stunning.

I probably won't write again for a while but I wanted to remember this wonderful day. 
Goodnight!

Iceland Day 11 - James' birthday

Happy Birthday My Love! 

James' birthday is today and we celebrated by cleaning the house and packing. It was a slow and lazy day since we were all worn out and knew that soon our trip would be over and real life would begin again. David and I packed this afternoon while James took Jon to get us all lunch and then took the kids out to a local playground. They have been begging to go to one this entire trip so they were thrilled with the opportunity.

Will reading in the morning

Christian having fun

Christian on a ball swing

Uncle David plays with the kids. He has been amazing!!

After the playground we all went into Selfoss for a birthday dinner. The first restaurant we looked at was full of old people silently eating their meals. Deciding that this was not the place for us we traveled on to the coast in search of a good meal. We have finally found an unimpressive part of Iceland. There are no mountains here, just scrub filled plains with only the occasional horse or sheep. But we found an open restaurant which seemed more welcoming and whose patrons were speaking in normal tones.

Will and Christian playing

They made up their own game and fought in slow motion

Our meal was good but not the best Icelandic fare. We have been spoiled though. Will and Jon ordered the kid's steak and were given lamb. I don't know if it was a mistake on the menu or by the server but we didn't tell the boys what it was until after they had finished their meal. They were both a little shocked and Will said that he'd rather eat cows because lambs are too cute.

Birthday dinner!

Will's lamb

After dinner we stopped for ice cream in Selfoss and had a fantastic experience. Unlike most establishments there was no English at all on the menu and we had to rely on our server to make sense of the flavors for us. I tried some honey ice cream which was really good in small amounts but rather overwhelming as a whole scoop. Jon and Christian had ice cream with candy floss on top so they were in heaven. 

enjoying ice cream

Christian finishes his ice cream

We all loved the ice cream and were only disappointed that we hadn't found this place sooner. The girl who helped us was wonderfully nice and very patient. I have been really impressed with all the Icelanders we've met. Every one of them has been kind and has cheerfully spoken English to us since we can't even attempt to speak a word of Icelandic. (I've tried but my tongue can't do it!)

Ice cream place

Can yo believe we ate here? The hot dogs are good but this sign is too strange!

It is late now and we leave tomorrow. I have really loved our time here and I know that we will come again. I did not expect to love Iceland as much as I do! It is a truly beautiful place.

Goodnight and goodbye until the next trip!

Iceland Day 10 - Glacier

We had a slow start this morning. The lack of darkness and our crazy schedule is catching up to us so we were all tired. (Of course, it could also have been that long hike we were on yesterday.) We slept in and lazed around before finally getting out of the house in the early afternoon. Since it was our penultimate day in Iceland we wanted to do something cool.

Sunrise (at 3:30 am) 

The Eyjafjallajofull glacier

All the boys in front of the glacier

We were on the road for lunch and we tried in vain to find a new restaurant to eat but the area was sparsely populated and the only other place we found had old people quietly eating in a tiny room. We didn't want to bother them so we went to our favorite gas station. This made the kids happy because the gas station had a little cafe in it that served hot dogs and burgers. Iceland hot dogs are really good, even from a gas station, but all the adults were getting tired of this fast food. The boys though loved it and even got to buy their own dessert before we continued on.

Traffic jam in iceland

Silly Christian

Will wants to be a viking

Me and my sons in front of the glacier

We drove down the South coast, past the stunning waterfalls we loved and into the wet and stunning mountains to a glacier on Mt Eyjafjallajokull. Back in 2010 the volcano Eyjafjallajokull (no idea how to say it!) went off covering the nearby area in ash. Now the fields approaching the mountain are covered by miles and miles of lupines.

lupines in front of the mountains

As we drove closer to the mountain the ground became more barren. We parked and began the short walk to the face of the glacier. To walk on top of the glacier we would need to take a tour with an experienced guide but the tours only allowed children over 10. That was fine with us, we were happy just to get close to it. 

James and Christian walk to the glacier

Will's viking pose

The warning sign

It is bigger than it looks

Slowly melting

The glacier was much dirtier than I had expected. I think I was imagining a more impressive sight but it was still really cool to be able to walk up to and touch the glacier. The area wasn't very safe since parts of the glacier would sometimes break off. But we held tight to the kids and didn't get too close. 

glacier peaks

Me and David and the boys

Attack of the viking

David touches the glacier

After the glacier we had planned to visit another waterfall or two but we were all so exhausted that we just went right home. David and I fell asleep in the car and I am grateful that James doesn't get tired while driving! 

Jon catches his puffin

Glacier

Christian loves his puffin

Hanging out at the glacier

David and his nephews

We got home around 8 and took our mid evening nap before dinner. Our schedules are really messed up here, I don't think we've ever gotten used to the time difference. And how could we when it is always light? Anyway, after a late dinner James and the boys climbed into the hot tub to play. The boys found great delight in pretending to be Archimedes and running out of the tub yelling "Eureka!" To their disappointment we made them keep their clothes on.

Boys in the hot tub

Christian's picture of the sun

We had a quiet day today but I am still tired and so I am off to bed. Goodnight!