Fair?

Today was the designated day for our older sons' school to go to the State Fair of Texas in Dallas. We've done this every year for four years so, it's getting to be a tradition and an indication that Fall is officially here and the Holidays are coming. Also, this is the first time that all five of us have gone.

Ian and Trevor both got free tickets from school, so with a combination of newspaper offers and a McDonald's "free child" coupon, we only paid for one adult's admission. And that's where the deals stopped. Because all rides and food take tickets, we decided to go "hog wild" and purchase 100 tickets for $50. Here's how (quickly) they were spent:

12 - Kiddie Airplane Ride for Two
21 - Bumper Cars for Three (kids' tradition)
7 - Bag of Cotton Candy
55 - Texas Star Ferris Wheel Ride for Five (family tradition)

REFILL!! Purchased 40 more tickets ($20)

12 - Two Orders of Cheese Nachos
14 - 2 Corn Dogs (a must)
8 - Ear of Roasted Corn (my tradition)
11 - Kiddie "Lift and Drop" Ride for Two

Combined with a couple of carnie games which were cash only, we spent over $100 without breaking a sweat. No, the prices at the fair are not fair, in fact it's a complete rip off at every turn - always has been!! So why go? Our children and building a family tradition. They boys had an absolute BLAST and because of that so did Lisa and I. 100 bucks blown in a little under four hours, but priceless in the Grand Scheme.