Saturday, July 23, 2005
Didn't head out again last night since Erika was working that evening and because the girls were tired and consequently a bit on the grumpy side. Dunking them both in a bath seemed the better thing to do.
Today was different. The girls set up a lemonade stand in front of our house in the middle of the afternoon in order to get additional funds that would let them buy tickets for the small midway held on the grounds of Kew Beach School that they enjoyed on Thursday night. When it was time to close up shop I was amazed at how much they were able to get: just over $30. Despite drinking a considerable amount of the drink themselves, it was obviously irresistible for many people to pass up giving some pocket change to the two sidewalk entrepreneurs – likely for more than 25 cents a pop they were asking. As it would turn out, they had more than enough to buy a ride each on all of the rides on the school grounds, and they were both very proud at how their efforts paid out.
Went to dinner at a place nearby which a) didn't have a line-up outside, and b) which we knew was a good breakfast place. What they lack in decor they made up with the quality of the food: I had an excellent gyro, Erika had a bountiful schwarma and the girls shared a burger and fries that all appeared to be homemade. I suspect we were charged a slight premium over what these dishes would normally cost (all prices set in a special “Jazz Festival” menu) but it was still reasonable and the food was good. So with full bellies we headed over to the midway across the street. ;-)
With their money the girls bought 25 tickets, each selling singly for $1.25 apiece. The workers were on a dinner break when we arrived, so we spent about half an hour or so in the playground by the side of school. Noticed that they had taken down the older wooden structures at the back fairly recently, large wood splinters and pieces of sunk foundation popping up through the gravel that had been laid on top. Probably decided that the whole thing was beginning to get on the rickety side. I looked after the girls while Erika went to check out some of the bands playing nearby.
The girls started on the rides in earnest when Erika returned. First was a multi-story inflatable slide in the shape of a rocket that they happily bounced down. Then came the fun house, Annie getting the biggest kick out of the moving set of stairs, Vanessa out of walking through the swirling tube at the end. Annie had some trouble getting through the latter, and while Vanessa hooted and hollered as she flopped all over it, a young teen helped to usher little Annie out. I wasn't too concerned about her passage since an attendant was at the switch ready to turn off the motion of the tube if necessary.
After that was the cobra, a twisting high-speed ride with two big arms that cut a wide arc to tree-top heights, and then after a while all of the seats on that arm begin to spin themselves. Annie was keen to go on it but was too small. I didn't think I could stomach the ride so Erika accompanied Vanessa on the ride, whooping and screaming with delight. Anything after that was comparatively low-key.
A final round on a bouncing castle and a treat of cotton candy apiece concluded the evening for the girls, whom we promptly hauled home and put to bed.
Didn't get to hear much in the way of music at this year's StreetFest, but I don't think our girls would complain (and neither would I).
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