snapshots

Our baby has hit the big five! The best thing I like about Risa's birthday is that it happens during the Pacific National Exhibition, the big city country fair. This is her 4th PNE, and she already has strong memories and associations with the dizzying rides and cotton candy. Her favorite ride is still The Scrambler, the biggest g-force ride a 42 inch kid can get on. We learned from past experience concerning Risa's extremely short attention span in the Market Place building where vendors hawk everything from chop-o-matic kitchen gadgets to roof tiles. We "hired" one of my younger, more energetic cousins to take her on the rides while we enjoyed a leisurely shopping spree. In this picture we're having the famous bbq chicken lunch (it cost an arm and a leg for, literally, an arm and a leg).
Raymond checks out this year's new food group: wiggle chips. I had my grease quota for the day after eating just a few of these! Not something I'd want again. This year's household gadget purchase is the Steam Mop. And we may get a few quotes for gutter filters and screen doors. Gotta take advantage of the home improvement tax credit this year.