A Night at the Races

Last year was our first annual family trip to the races.  This year was our second.

I'm pretty good at math.  Can't ya tell?

Both years we went on the same Saturday night that the Marion County Fair was going on, for two reasons.  One, the fair is free and right by the race track, so if we're already so close, we might as well go... right?  The kids love it.  And secondly, not only is the fair free, but kids also get into the races free on fair night, too! 

Last year, it was H.O.T... HOT!  We sweated through the fair and sweated through the races and I'm pretty sure we came home only to have to sleep downstairs because it was too hot upstairs (despite having the air on) and sweated through the not so restful downstairs campout.  THIS year, though, was gorgeous!  We even took long sleeves for the kids in case they got chilly after the sun went down.  What a different a year makes!!!

First, walking through the barns at the fair:

Daddy explaining to Caleb (and Sarah, who was less interested) how the kids work with their animals throughout the fair.  This is when  Josh started going down memory lane, ultimately leading to him getting his show box out a couple of weeks later.  But that's a story for a different post!

It was here that we learned of Sarah's fondness for the sheep, lambs and goats.  I definitely foresee a few of the smaller, four-hoofed species on the Van Zante yard in about six years!

 

And both kids adored the pigs.  Definitely gonna have to show pigs, too.

The fair is on the smaller side, so it didn't take too long to go through the barns. Which was grand, because the races were about to begin and we needed to eat...

Chow time!

 

Finally, race time....

The push trucks.  Sprint cars can't start themselves ( I don't know all the details.  I've been told a hundred times but honestly, I kinda sorta let it go in one ear and out the other.), so they have to be pushed-started with trucks.  Each car gets a truck and on "go", they all do down the lane in the infield and onto the track.  By the time they're on the track, they've started and are ready to roll on their on.

Three very observant observers.

 

Caleb REALLY gets into it!  He has his favorite car and EVERYthing!

And while those observant observers were observing the races, this observant observer was observing...

...the beautiful sunset.

 

SEE?!  I TOLD you he really gets into it!  He's rooting for his favorite car, #40, I think?
(Is it terrible I don't know my child's favorite driver?  The cars all look the same.  How am I suppose to keep them straight?)

And this is the look we get when his favorite car doesn't win.

 

Father teaching son the laws of sprint car racing.

Now, this evening was not my idea!  I went because it is my family and I love them and (usually...almost always) enjoy spending time with them.  Plus, Sarah watched Caleb go with the guys the week before and SO wanted to go to the races, too, that I didn't have the heart to say no when Josh proposed the idea.  Actually, she wanted to go with Daddy and Papa like Caleb does, NOT WITH MOMMY.  She had to deal.  Compromise is a valuable lesson to learn... the earlier in life, the better. 

But, let me reiterate: if I had to pick a family night, it probably would have been something that didn't require ear plugs.  But I had fun, nonetheless.  Even though I was the only one without ear plugs.  (Forgive me if I request you to repeat yourself for the next several weeks!)  What I DID want, however, was a  picture of the kids and Josh with the track behind them...
 

First try: no one cooperating. 
You can tell who's getting tired, who has possibly breathed too many exhaust fumes and who just doesn't get the idea of a picture with his kids.

 

Try number... like, 8.  Starting to get closer.  However, it seems as though one of my subjects has gone AWOL.  That's okay.  Two are easier to deal with than three.  Sometimes more is not merrier.

Try number.... by this time, I'm sure I lost count.
Still, getting closer!

 

AT LAST!  Thanks to Daddy being goofy, I FINALLY got my picture and can FINALLY call the night a great success!
 

Despite my jesting, it was a fun evening.  One we'll certainly remember for a long time.  Caleb's car came from behind and ended up winning by INCHES.  Even I enjoyed the last few laps of the last race it was in.  It was a very late night and we ended up leaving before the last main race (for Sarah's sake, who was barely hanging on).  But even though they were up so late, they were up bright and early for church the next morning.  They didn't even take an afternoon nap like we thought they would.  Which was too bad for me, 'cause I was tired!  I wanted a nap!  They charged full steam ahead, as happy and cheerful as ever, until their bed time Sunday night.  I was less than happy and cheerful, and certainly not going full steam ahead!

 

My kids amaze me.

 

Oh!  And in case you're still questioning my math abilities, next year will be the THIRD annual Van Zante family trip to the races ;-)