The Kennedy's: Newport Fair

We have had a fun week filled with swim lessons, picnics with friends, lunches with dad, Mike's last full week of work, swimming at the frog pond and the Newport Agricultural Fair. Raquel started another session of swim lessons this week and is really improving her kicks and is trying her hardest to propel herself. I'd say in another set of lessons she will probably be mobile.

Mike finished up his last full work week before he takes off in 2 1/2 weeks, next week he has a couple of half days to finish up. We can't believe that he will be leaving shortly, but we are happy we get to spend so much time together before he leaves and have lots of fun adventures planned.

Friday we took the kids swimming at the Frog Pond, its a local outdoor swimming pool with slides and squirting water. Both girls had fun in the water and playing with other kids. We brought some toys to play with and Raquel was the hit of the pool with her Princess Diving sticks, which she was kind enough to share with all. Later that evening we headed to the Newport Fair where we were able to see some lambs, horses and even a pink dog. Raquel was able to ride a few rides and I was even brave enough to go on a spinning one with her and not get too nauseous. We ate some great grilled corn and watched the Draft Horse Pull. Its amazing how big some of those horses are but we learned that size doesn't always matter, the two biggest horses were the second ones out of the competition. We didn't stay to see who won because we had two tired girls and plans to come back the next day.

Today we had a wonderful Sat., we slept in and then headed back to the Newport Fair. Today we took Raquel's friend Autumn with us so that they could play together. We wanted to get to the fair early today because they were having running races for the kids and Raquel was excited to participate. It must have been a bad night for animals on the road because on the way to the fair this morning we saw a dead cow, dog, raccoon, and deer, but we made it safe and sound and had a wonderful time. We were a little late for the races this morning because they changed the times and so Raquel had to run with the older 4-5 yr. olds. She was in three races a sprint, a dash and a hop. She place third in the sprint and dash and second in the hop and was so proud of herself when she received her ribbons and prize money. We then watched the horse show and the girls got to pet a few horses which both of them loved. We also played on the play ground and saw a magic show. After walking through the building with all the arts/crafts, quilts and cakes/cookies/breads and grown fruits and veggies it was time to leave and come home, just before it started to get really hot. We spent the rest of the day relaxing and hanging out at the house.