What a Cracker!

The Crackerjack Carnival is on this weekend, Friday evening through to Sunday. We like Saturday morning first thing. While the kids aren't tired. While there isn't lines. While everything is fresh. Kids under 12 are free and us big kids are $7 each.

After an extended stay in the 'entry tent' to view the motorised trains (they *so* rock!), our first stop was the ponies. I remember when I was little and *loving* the pony rides. Back in the day.

We smiled at the camels, thought it a bit pricey to pat the animals in the little farm and moved up to view the sheep, cute baby goats, alpacas and chickens at the Shearing Display. Caleb was overstimulated and walking in a daze, wanting to try everything and couldn't stop talking - he was busting with excitement!

There were two areas of kiddie-size rides. First up we rode the train . . . toot toot!

Followed by the chairlift swing thing.

Walking up the path of stuffed-animals-and-other-junk-prize games we stopped to catch some ducks. Caleb's duck won him a green car and Zali's won a bubble blowing thing. They were happy.

At the second kiddie-size ride area it was the multi-vehicle-go-round that first attracted attention.

Our little 4WD rev-head chick.

Zali wanted to ride the boats while Caleb picked the Mickey Mouse jumping castle. After I watched Zali a bit, I helped Caleb take off his shoes. Oops, Zali is crying. I dash over (big headed me thinks she has misplaced me - don't worry I am here) to discover she had tried to touch the water the boats were floating on and scratched/grazed her forearm (hurt herself, got a fright, all a bit too much) and was crying out 'Marrrrrrrrmmmmmmy', in between sobs, to come rescue her.

A big cuddle and some reassurance and all was ok. Except the deadhead bloke 'watching' the rides saying 'it's hard for me to watch two rides'. Good on you.

Caleb had a jump and I got Zali on the jumpy castle ('on the house') to help her get herself back to happy. Not sure how long the girls' counter was for but their jumping time was over in a flash.

After a 'misplaced sock' incident we moved down to some shaded tables and chairs for some food (and some coffee!). The Husband helped make/pack some food for our outing and we bought a bit of fresh food too - can't go to a carnival and not have a dagwood dog.

As we sat and ate, Griffy could get out of the pram and play and have a snack of grass. There was a guy playing the guitar and singing - Zali was dancing a smidge, enjoying his smooth tunes. After a feed Caleb started showing us his moves too - such a talented family!

The fun part was having our sweets . . . Dippin' Dots (tiny balls of ice cream). Zali got a rainbow sorbet type, Caleb picked the bubblegum flavour (eww) and I picked the Snickers with a small mix of mint chocolate to share with Grandma. Lucky for me she only wanted a small bit - yummy!

Just as we finished enjoying those tiny balls of scrummy, a puppet show was starting a few metres away. We watched a little of the puppet-action and then decided to move as we were all getting tired. The last two (ride) tickets for Caleb and Zali were used on the chairlift swing thing - for some reason Zali picked the only chair that was facing backwards?

Heading out the Police gave the kids a stamp on their hand and some colouring-in stuff. We had a final stop at the motorised train setup while Grandma located a balloon each for the kids. Trudged to the car and headed home. Sleeps all round except for me (sigh).

It is my turn to sleep now. Night!