At Ye Olde Faire

We headed off to one of our favorite places this past weekend.....the Renaissance Fair. Tom and I have loved going to the Fair since we were dating and took the kids when we went 2 years ago. So this year we decided to make a big trip of it, drag along Noni, Grandpa and Uncle Jon (and it's not really dragging since they're the ones who discovered the one in MD).

Two years ago doesn't seem like such a long time, but Jeffrey was only 1 and barely aware of where we were. And Erin wasn't much more understanding about it either. This year was different. Both the kids were super excited about it. We talked about going to the fair for a week or so. On the drive to DC both kids kept talking about all the rides that would be there - I mean what's a fair without rides? So Tom and I tried explaining it to them, like they would be visiting a castle and see all kinds of cool shows and people dressed up. After the initial disappointment that no Roller Coasters would be involved in the trip they decided it might be fun after all.

This year everyone got all dressed up. Tom and I wore our costumes and Erin and Jeff had some as well. Jeffrey's got this cool knight costume and Erin has a sweet princess costume...but not a Disney princess. Think Lucy from Lion, Witch and the Wardrobe (or really Prince Caspian). The both LOVED being in their costumes. Right after we got there, someone from the fair walked up to Jeffrey took a little plastic gem out of her bag and handed it to him, declaring him the most regal knight in the realm that day. Let's say that's now a very beloved piece of plastic. Erin got lots of comments on her dress as well.

Erin headed straight for the face painting station. She really wanted her face painted and we decided to do it early before the lines got too long and so she could show it off all day. She picked out a unicorn and sat wonderfully still for the Maiden to paint it on her cheek. It looked fantastic.

There was a cool knighting ceremony for the kids. They got to get in line, fill out a card and get their name announced along with their "good deed" for being knighted. Jeff's good deed is that he helps feed the cats. Erin decided she picks up her toys (which is true when under duress). Then they got their names called out and got to sit on a pillow while the Queen knighted them with a real-fake sword. Very cool. And they both got little certificates introducing Knight Jeffrey and Dame Erin.

We spent much of the day just wandering around. We caught a few of the shows - A magician, a comedian we all like and some of the musical groups (there was this awesome drumming corps with a bagpipe guy that was just FANTASTIC). The kids like the music as it was really easy to get up and dance to.

We did do the fun kiddie stuff. There's a big wooden slide (as close to a roller coaster as they were gonna get) that they loved, a play area with a big wooden pirate ship, and free pony rides. Uncle Jon got to introduce them both to his favorite honey vendor and the kids are now officially addicted to honey.

The highlight of the day was certainly the bubble blowing station. I remembered from last time we went that you had to have your own bubble wand to blow bubbles (and Noni is a sucker so Erin has one) so I made sure to pack it. Both Erin and Jeff we able to blow some bubbles with the bubble fairies. At the end of the day we made one last stop. The fairy working at the station was very playful and blowing suds and bubbles everywhere. Both the kids thought that this was just awesome and were giggling and laughing with her. Erin was actually able to get some really nice bubbles blown too.

It was a really fun day and I'm glad we could share it with the kids and with Noni, Grandpa and Uncle Jon. The fact that the kids imaginations are wild enough for them to believe in fairies and princesses and castles makes it all the better.