South Florida Fair

The South Florida Fair was back for 2022. We decided to go on a Tuesday thinking that there would be short lines and more space. It was nice to go on a Tuesday. It wasn't crowded but there were still a lot of people there. We all had a good time and we were there a lot longer than I thought we would be there. Ethan can definitely keep going and going if he's having a good time. We spent most of the day at the fair, from the afternoon to night. It was a good time. The weather was nice; balmy in the day and cool at night even though there was some drizzle. We got to go on rides, eat special food, see exhibits, and watch the parade.

First stop: Fair food. We got a real donut, which Ethan enjoyed. Next stop was raspberry lemonade. 

We got wristbands to go on rides all day long. Ethan got to pick his rides and we all had fun. 

Sometimes, he wouldn't look at the camera because the view from the top of the rides was so interesting. 

The little kid rides were nice. We went on a few together and he went on a few by himself. 

Yes, we stood in line like any fair. 

There was a robot exhibit at the fair and we got to talk to one. 

He even posed for pictures with us. 

We showed up early for the parade and found a good spot. 

It was a short parade, but it was nice, with a marching band, Mardi-Gras floats (we got beads), military and police vehicles, and of course, robots. 

Ethan barely made the height limit for some adult rides. The woman in the picture isn't hiding her face, she is scared. Yes, this is not a kiddie ride. It had just as much whiplash as any roller coaster in a major theme park. Ethan loved it. 

Naturally, we had to play carnival games too. We left with a few stuffed toys but didn't really win any carnival games. 

It was fun playing though. 

New Year's Eve 2021

 The annual celebration of New Year's Eve went well on the deck out back. We had fun and popped a lot of poppers. 

We went to Party City and Ethan really wanted the balloon. We needed some decorations for the night so we got it (we kept it for next year too :))

He really likes the sparkling apple cider. Its fizzy and sweet. 

I dressed up a little. This was a decent picture. I was feeling sick so I wasn't in many pictures. 

Hats, balloons, and poppers. 

Confetti! 

Happy New Year!

Pictures With Santa 2021

We were able to get pictures with Santa this year after Christmas was cancelled last year because of COVID. We made up for it by getting nice pictures. In fact, we tried twice. The first time we waited and waited at the local mall. The second time, we drove a little further away. It was our last chance on Christmas Eve. I'm glad we went the second time. The mall was decorated very nice. Santa was well dressed and very nice. There was no line and even had elves walking around for pictures with everyone. 

Getting dressed for pictures in the mall.

We can't forget to comb his hair. 

All dressed. 

Photos with Christmas decorations in the mall. 

He liked playing with the fake snow. 

The mall was all decorated nicely for Christmas.

There was a short line to see Santa. Ethan told Santa what he wanted for Christmas and got a toy from Santa right after.

He got to hold the Elf's candy cane. After we visited Santa, the elves had left to take a break. We walked all around the mall until they came back from break. We got our pictures and everyone enjoyed the pictures. 

One last picture in front of the fountain with the nice decorations. 

Trip to Disney World Animal Kingdom

 

For the first time I went to Disney World Animal Kingdom. We took Ethan and had a good time. As far as animal parks in Florida go, it was good. There are other zoos that are just as good (but different), in south Florida. What made Disney's Animal Kingdom stand out, were the attractions. The rides and shows definitely made this zoo unique. 

Like other Disney parks, this is a two, full-day visit. If you travel with a little kid, it would take three days to see everything. If I was going to visit Disney World, I would see the classic parks first. Since I have been to Disney World several times to see Epcot and Magic Kingdom, seeing Animal Kingdom was nice as variety. It was also a park where the animal characters from movies like Bambi and Lion King get to be showcased. 

Driving into the park.

Selfie in front of Bambi.

He knocks me over when I kneel down sometimes. 

Tree of Life.

Each Disney park has a central attraction that identifies the park. Magic Kingdom has the princess castle, Epcot has the giant golf ball, and Animal Kingdom has the Tree of Life to go with a nature theme.

It was built with picture taking in mind. 

Its a very nice 3-D sculpture with carvings to see in the light and has a different effect in the night time. 

One of the aquatic exhibits. This one was for otters. 

Dino land was for little kids and a place Ethan got to enjoy rides. 

He really liked the light up bubble maker. All the kids loved these things. 

We rode this dinosaur ride several times. It was basically the Dumbo ride but with dinosaurs instead. 

Here is how we watched the night time shows. There were several shows projected onto the Tree of Life at night. Because the Tree of Life is a 3-D sculpture, the projection had depth. 

Tree of Life lit up for a show at night. 

He really liked his glowing bubble maker. 

We went before Christmas so the park was also decorated to celebrate. 

Here is the tree at the main entrance at night.