summer's end

The Santa Cruz County Fair marks the official end of summer for our family. Goodbye, fishy game. Maybe next year the prize will live longer than a week.


Goodbye, fair food. Too many wonderful choices to choose. This year I went for the baked potato with butter and sour cream, and of course the peanut butter fudge. ND tried a portabello mushroom burger, but later lamented not going for the deep fried burrito.


Goodbye, midway. Not really our favorite section of the fair, but P. #2 really likes it, and it makes for nice nighttime pictures. Soon it just won't be this warm and balmy at 8 pm.


So long to the fish, awaiting their unavoidable septic demise. It's fun every year.


So long to Brad's Reptile House. It's better than the zoo, since you can sometimes hold the snakes, and get close to the crocodile.


Goodbye to the poultry exhibit. We entered four pullets, and received three blue ribbons and one red, in addition to Best of Breed and Reserve Best of Breed. Next year ND wants a turkey.


And this picture is dedicated to working mothers everywhere... Goddess knows I feel like this at the end of a long day with my nineteen Kindergarteners. Little P. was determined to bring one of these piggies home, and believe me it was a narrow escape. Nice Dad is an easy mark for such impulses.