It's that time of year -- corn dogs at the State Fair!

John Michael is 9 months old. He started sitting up, unsupported, at the beginning of August and can now stay sitting for longer periods of time. He can support his weight while leaning forward on his arms and then, with all his might, steady himself to sitting upright again. He can push his arms up while lying on his tummy, roll from front to back and back to front. The other day I found him under the coffee table. He'd rolled away from me in the middle of the living room before I knew it. When he's on his tummy, he tries really hard to crawl by pushing up his knees under his tummy. That only gets him going backwards, which tends to frustrate him the further back he goes. Last week he had his first routine eye exam. He passed that with flying colors -- no cataracts, no visual problems, maybe just slight astigmatism. The doctor said, "See you in a year." Yes!

Today I took the four kids to the California State Fair. My husband, Doug, flew to Las Vegas for the day to attend a research committee meeting. At 95 degrees here in Sacramento, it wasn't the most pleasant thing to do by myself, but I really wanted to surprise Greta, who's 3 years old, by taking her to see the Doodlebops live. It was definitely worth the trek. Nicolas and Anna took turns pushing Greta in one stroller, while I pushed John Michael in the other. I'm so glad we brought 2 strollers because it wasn't long after we arrived at the Fair that Greta exclaimed, "I can't walk anymore!"

John Michael hardly fussed at all when he and I were bonded together by sweat watching Greta dance wildly to the Doodlebops pseudo kid rock music. I'm always humbled by how little he complains and how much the rest of us, me included, whine about the littlest things. I read somewhere that we need to be careful not to take advantage of John Michael's good nature. Just because he doesn't complain, doesn't mean he isn't uncomfortable or deserving of more attention. I took his sweaty round body and bounced him along with the beat of Dee Dee, Rooney, and Moe. The higher I bounced him, the harder he giggled with joy. Anna said, "I'm bored." Nicolas danced along with Greta on his knees since at 11 and 5'5" he's not exactly a little kid anymore.

All in all it was a fun outing. I threatened to cut it short a few times when Greta started literally melting on me. The heat and lack of a nap were taking a toll on her little body. We managed a few more exhibits, touched a live alligator (I never realized how soft, moist and cold their skin would be) and take a monorail ride around the fairgrounds to see all the things I wouldn't be taking them to this year. We love going to the State Fair every year, but I've never gone without Doug. Tonight when Doug came home, he offered to take the kids back to the Fair for some Daddy fun. Hopefully their neon-colored hand stamps are still visible to get back in without paying again. I think John Michael and I will just enjoy a quiet evening together, maybe watch some Olympics events or take Mitzi for a walk. We'll see...