{"id":3187,"date":"2014-08-11T14:48:32","date_gmt":"2014-08-11T19:48:32","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3187"},"modified":"2014-08-11T14:48:32","modified_gmt":"2014-08-11T19:48:32","slug":"day-3-look-out-for-the-fairies","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/?p=3187","title":{"rendered":"Day 3: Look out for the fairies"},"content":{"rendered":"

I had warned the kids that we would be getting up early today.\u00a0 When 8:00 AM rolled around, I started rousting people from their beds.\u00a0 We needed to get up and get some sort of breakfast before we prepared for the day ahead of us.\u00a0 Today\u2026..we go to Ren Faire!<\/p>\n

Bel was the last one up.\u00a0 Luckily, Sophia and Cael climbed out of bed before the warning bell went off.\u00a0 Rick was up early, of course.\u00a0 Gotta say, Bel didn\u2019t put up much of a fuss though.<\/p>\n

After breakfast, we began to prepare to get dressed.\u00a0 I had gotten fairy costumes for the girls and planned to use an older outfit for Cael.\u00a0 When it came right down to it though, Bel was the only one willing to get dressed up.\u00a0 She was cute.\u00a0 Sophia and Cael opted to go as normal folk.\u00a0 That\u2019s fine.\u00a0 We packed up the car and headed out.<\/p>\n

Rick had invited his friend, Carrie, to join us.\u00a0 They drove over separately and we met up with them off and on throughout the day.<\/p>\n

We got into the gate and it was still relatively open.\u00a0 The crowds weren\u2019t out en mass yet.\u00a0 The first place to head was facepainting.\u00a0 I knew which painter I liked already.\u00a0 She has been in this same spot since Rick was small.\u00a0 We just had to get there before the rest of the kids did.\u00a0 Cael was first.\u00a0 He picked a flaming skull.\u00a0 You know guys and that counts for the little ones.\u00a0 Sophia got the Fancy Butterfly while Bel went for the Pegascorn.<\/p>\n

Now we were ready to walk the town and see the sights.\u00a0 Along the way, the kids caught sight of a fairy or two hanging around.\u00a0 At the Town Pump, the a capella ladies on the balacony where waving to the kids., who were a little shy.\u00a0 Since Bel dressed as a fairy princess, she got a lot of attention from people working the faire telling her, \u201cGood day, Princess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Our next stop was through the woods and to the area where the fairies are known to hang out.\u00a0 Here, a wood fairy weaves a spider web between the trees and includes all kinds of things in the weaving.\u00a0 The web turns into the walls for an almost outdoor room where benches are set up and you can rest among the fairies.<\/p>\n

Even Cael was entranced to watch the different types of fairies and magical creatures.\u00a0 We saw a yellow fairy stacking rocks and getting a lot of help from the younger kids.\u00a0 The green fairy was playing in leaves.\u00a0 There was a blue fairy who was just running from one place to another and dancing around in between.\u00a0 The wood fairy who spins the web was sitting by a tree.\u00a0 I encouraged the kids to go over and say hi.\u00a0 She wanted to tell the kids hello by touching palms, but their shyness prevented them.\u00a0 So she pulled out her bobbin of thread and made a string bracelet for each one of them.\u00a0 She tied the string on with such care.\u00a0 Needless to say, the kids were thrilled.<\/p>\n

I thought Rich was sitting in the shade, but I find him wondering around.\u00a0 Why wasn\u2019t he sitting down and relaxing?\u00a0 He said he was, but one of those fairies was bothering him.\u00a0 I think it kind of freaked him a bit and he preferred not to have them sneaking up behind him to provide entertainment for others.<\/p>\n

Next, we moved on to the fencing school.\u00a0 This is an arena set up to put two combatants in a ring with modified swords.\u00a0 Don\u2019t worry, the kids wear padding and helmets.\u00a0 They are just trying to pop a balloon on the top of the other guy\u2019s head.\u00a0 You usually get brother against brother, sister against sister, or even sister against brother.\u00a0 If the older kid is too tall, they might have to fight on their knees.\u00a0 It\u2019s actually pretty fun to watch.\u00a0 The first contestants were a 9 year old sister against a 6 year old brother.\u00a0 She had height, but he had heart.<\/p>\n

We walked on around to the Queen\u2019s Meadow, but she wasn\u2019t out yet.\u00a0 Apparently, there is a unicorn in the area and one of the showman was working really hard for us to go in and see it.\u00a0 Since the kids weren\u2019t super thrilled, I didn\u2019t opt to pay the price for that attraction.\u00a0 We moved on to the Dirk and Guido Swordmen\u2019s Show.<\/p>\n

Dirk and Guido are celebrating 25 years at the Ren Faire.\u00a0 We\u2019ve probably seen most of their shows then.\u00a0 The show is part comedy and part swordmen.\u00a0 All of the jokes go over the kid\u2019s heads, but they like to watch the fancy work with the swords.\u00a0 Cael was especially interested in the swords.<\/p>\n

We headed out to take care of the bathroom break and clean up for a little lunch.\u00a0 Rich took Bel off to find food.\u00a0 They came back with BBQ and a turkey leg.\u00a0 I think they like the same things.\u00a0 I got a chicken basket and fish and chips.\u00a0 We ate pretty well.\u00a0 All around, people were coming and going.\u00a0 You just never knew what you would see.<\/p>\n

Next, we headed to the front of the town to look at the pirate ship and walk across the long bridge over the pond.\u00a0 First, we got stopped by the Queen\u2019s parade.\u00a0 The kids learned a new word, huzzah.\u00a0 This is the cry you make to exclaim something, like when you cheer for one of the groups or for the Queen herself. \u00a0It was cute when the Queen\u2019s champion said good day to Bel.<\/p>\n

The bridge is always a busy place.\u00a0 Everyone wants to stop to see the fish and the turtles.\u00a0 There are lots of them to see.\u00a0 Luckily, it was pretty clear going in our direction.\u00a0 The other side was pretty packed.\u00a0 I think the kids got to see quite a few turtles on our way across.\u00a0 That took us into the marketplace by the lake.\u00a0 We stopped in at the tannery to feel the pelts and check out the skins.\u00a0 Now they can say they have touched the pelt from a silver, gray, red, and other types of foxes.\u00a0 There were bison skins, sheep, and several other pelts lying around as we walked through.<\/p>\n

The pirate ship didn\u2019t have a lot to do.\u00a0 For $5, you could swab decks, raise the flag and other things.\u00a0 No one seemed to have interest in doing these.\u00a0 Before we left, I saw a mermaid being pushed around in a wheelbarrow.\u00a0 Hope she was staying wet though.<\/p>\n

We worked our way back around and went over to the petting zoo.\u00a0 No kid\u2019s day is complete without petting an animal of some sort.\u00a0 There were goats, sheep, cows, donkeys, a llama, a land turtle, and even pygmy goats.\u00a0 We had feed and walked around the animals.\u00a0 There was a porcupine on a shelf, but he wasn\u2019t something you could pet.<\/p>\n

Time to go check out the Kids Kingdom.\u00a0 This is an area strictly for kids.\u00a0 There was a magic show happening on the stage when we arrived.\u00a0 The kids weren\u2019t interested though.\u00a0 I took them through the town fa\u00e7ade and the pirate ship.\u00a0 They just weren\u2019t feeling it.\u00a0 We hung around a bit in the area as Rich and Bel were enjoying some garlic mushrooms.\u00a0 Cael and Sophia did find a bridge and old tree trunk that had some promise for climbing.<\/p>\n

When asked what they want to do next, those kids want to look for more fairies!\u00a0 I explain that those are the only fairies in the place.\u00a0 They want to go and look at them one more time.\u00a0 So off we head for the spider web.\u00a0 Rich finds a seat in the shade.\u00a0 He said he would take his chances with the pesky fairies.\u00a0 Cael prefers to stay with Uncle Rich and play around the nearby tree.\u00a0 The girls and I go off to look at the fairies for one last time.\u00a0 Really, one last time.<\/p>\n

In the meantime, I called Rick, who is coming from the Mud Show to meet us.\u00a0 We have to plan out dinner.\u00a0 My plan is for him to stop and pick up the food on his way in.\u00a0 I hand over the money required to buy the feast and bounty.\u00a0 He and Carrie are planning to hang out a bit more before heading out.<\/p>\n

With a heavy sigh, the kids finally give in and we head toward the gate.\u00a0 Rich leads us through the crowd.\u00a0 We are like a line of ducks as we follow him out.\u00a0 The kids keep up the pace and manage to weave in and out of the elbows and knees in their way.\u00a0 Me, I just trudge on and push my way through where needed.\u00a0 I can\u2019t believe how crowded it is.\u00a0 When did that happen?<\/p>\n

The drive home is quiet.\u00a0 I think everyone is tired from walking around all day.\u00a0 At home, we change into comfortable clothes and get out of the costumes.\u00a0 The kids want to go outside and play in the yard.\u00a0 I have to feed Sascha first and she isn\u2019t taking no for an answer.\u00a0 This means more dancing as she sees food in the bowl.<\/p>\n

The kids bring their chalk outside and draw on the new blacktop.\u00a0 I see a sun, moon, butterfly and other shapes taking form in bright colors.\u00a0 It\u2019s not long before they are done.\u00a0 It\u2019s back inside for their nets to chance bugs down.\u00a0 At one point, Bel decides to brush Sascha down to try and remove the loose hair.\u00a0 I tell her good luck.\u00a0 She soon finds that\u2019s a never ending task.\u00a0 It just brings up more hair.\u00a0 Sascha doesn\u2019t mind though.\u00a0 She loves to be brushed.<\/p>\n

The kids want a snack.\u00a0 Since I\u2019m weeding the patio, I send them inside to ask Uncle Rich.\u00a0 It\u2019s time for a Zurek standard.\u00a0 They get peanut butter and honey sandwiches.\u00a0 Then it\u2019s back outside to run around the yard a bit more.\u00a0 Rich comes out to do hot tub maintenance.\u00a0 With a million and one questions, they help out.\u00a0 Mostly, they stand around with their hands in the water.\u00a0 Then came the inevitable question:\u00a0 Can we hot tub?\u00a0 Sure, but later on tonight.\u00a0 Unfortunately, the heater is on the fritz again so the water is only lukewarm.<\/p>\n

Rick finally arrives with dinner!\u00a0 We go inside and wash up.\u00a0 We are having chicken from Popeye\u2019s with mac-n-cheese, potatoes and gravy, and dirty rice.\u00a0 We manage to find something we all like and eat up.\u00a0 It\u2019s been one of those days.\u00a0 The kids scrape their plates and stack them on the counter for the dishwasher.\u00a0 Time to jet off and play some more.\u00a0 Rich and Rick take Bel downstairs to teach her somethings about guitars.\u00a0 She has her own electric guitar and they want her to start learning her finger exercises.\u00a0 I hear lots of guitar playing until the phone rings.<\/p>\n

It\u2019s Vanessa and Chris checking in.\u00a0 I remember the days when I missed my son during vacations away.\u00a0 You think you\u2019ll enjoy the quiet, but it can be a little too much.\u00a0\u00a0 The kids have been so busy they haven\u2019t even asked about going home until this evening.\u00a0 They just wanted to know how many more days they had to do things!<\/p>\n

After the phone call, I put them in for baths.\u00a0 They have to get somewhat cleaned up to go into the hot tub later.\u00a0 Sophia asked to watch TV and Frozen is on.\u00a0 It\u2019s surprising that everyone knows the words to all the songs.\u00a0 After baths are done and the movie is complete, they change into bathing suits and I grab them some towels.\u00a0 Time to check out the hot tub.\u00a0 I guess it is like a small swimming pool.\u00a0 They paddle around a bit and get pretty well wet.\u00a0 I pull them out when I can take the mosquitoes anymore.<\/p>\n

Now, it\u2019s back into jammies and ready for bed.\u00a0 Strangely, it\u2019s quiet in the bedroom tonight.\u00a0 There isn\u2019t much chit chat or noise.\u00a0 I see some blinking eyes, but they are slowly sinking into sleep.\u00a0 A long day is done.\u00a0 Shhhhh!<\/p>\n

\"Skulls<\/a>
Skulls and flames for Cael’s facepaint.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sophia<\/a>
Sophia got a fancy butterfly for her face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bel<\/a>
Bel got a Pegasus unicorn for her face.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kids<\/a>
Kids in front of the spider web.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Close<\/a>
Close up of the blue green fairy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"First<\/a>
First sighting of the blue green fairy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Blue<\/a>
Blue green fairy fascinated by someone else at the faire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Young<\/a>
Young faire-goer dancing with the blue green fairy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Girls<\/a>
Girls with one of the woodland fairies.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Watching<\/a>
Watching yellow green fairy stacking rocks.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bel<\/a>
Bel getting her bracelet from the woodlawn fairy who does the spider web.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sophia<\/a>
Sophia getting her bracelet from the woodland fairy.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bel<\/a>
Bel waiting for lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cael<\/a>
Cael and Sophia waiting for lunch.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Queen<\/a>
Queen Elizabeth in the parade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Butterfly<\/a>
Butterfly puppet from the Queen’s parade.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bel<\/a>
Bel having a standoff with a goat.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Pygmy<\/a>
Pygmy goat trying to take Sophia’s water bottle.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Parrot<\/a>
Parrot at the petting zoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Making<\/a>
Making friends with the llama.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Llama<\/a>
Llama and goat in the zoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Following<\/a>
Following the turtle around the zoo.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Taking<\/a>
Taking a minute for a photo op.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Kids<\/a>
Kids on deck of the pirate ship.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Cael<\/a>
Cael found a cool log to climb all over.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rich<\/a>
Rich and Bel sharing garlic mushrooms.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Rick<\/a>
Rick and Carrie at the faire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Dinner<\/a>
Dinner after the faire.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Bel<\/a>
Bel brushing Sascha in the yard.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Sophia<\/a>
Sophia and Cael taking a break.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Another<\/a>
Another type of parade around Sascha.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Just<\/a>
Just a little lap time from Dad.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
\"Helping<\/a>
Helping Uncle Rich with hot tub maintenance.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

I had warned the kids that we would be getting up early today.\u00a0 When 8:00 AM rolled around, I started rousting people from their beds.\u00a0 We needed to get up and get some sort of breakfast before we prepared for the day ahead of us.\u00a0 Today\u2026..we go to Ren Faire! Bel was the last one […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":[],"categories":[1],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3187"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=3187"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3187\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3221,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/3187\/revisions\/3221"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=3187"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=3187"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/zurekbrau.com\/blogs\/richsblog\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=3187"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}