Down on the Farm (in South Riding)

Sarah does not like goats.  Or camels, or cows, or a large furry animal that we could not figure out what it was.  Yesterday we went to the "Celebrate South Riding" festival where there was a free petting zoo.  Sarah does great with Toby and Bailey - she lets them lick her face, she pets them, sticks her fingers in their mouths, so I figured a petting zoo would be something that she was into.  I was wrong.  This was the first time I ever saw abject fear in my daughter.  Anytime I put her anywhere near the animals (and some of the kids (goats, not humans) were really really tiny!) she would cower into my shoulder and start crying.  Every time.  Every  animal.  It wasn't the size of the animal - the baby goats were just as scary as the camel - it was the fact they were animals.  I worry now about taking her to Disney - will the giant life sized mouse freak her out too?

I did have T.J. take one picture of us trying to pet the animals. 


So we missed our afternoon nap yesterday - we slept so well in the morning that she wasn't ready for  a nap until we were already heading out the door.  My goal was to make it to the fireworks because I love fireworks, but as soon as she had a meltdown I was prepared to leave.  We lucked out - no meltdown!  She just fell asleep for a nap right in my arms.

Considering how scary the goats were, we really weren't sure how fireworks would go over.  But the loud noises and bright lights didn't seem to phase her.  I think she's become accustomed to loud bangs and barks at home.  Special thanks to Toby and Bailey for prepping Sarah to not freak out in the presence of startling noises.

So newest lessons learned in parenting.  We can stay out past bedtime without meltdowns, goats are scary, and fireworks are fun.  I think we can live with that.  P.S.  Sarah has her first boyfriend :)