It’ s a good thing I took Friday off.  My weekend was so dang busy that I needed Friday to prepare for it. 

Rider woke up Saturday morning completely rash free.    Yipee, because I had a lot I wanted to do.  Luckily, he was game for all of it.  First thing in the morning we headed to the Farmers Market.  I got some great vegetables (OMG, I made the most amazing zucchini dish with the zucchini – WOW) and Rider picked out one vegetable for himself — no surprise it was snap peas that he snaps and eats the peas out of.  But, I was so proud of the picky little man — he tried Hummus from a vendor that makes and sells it.  He didn’t like it (which didn’t surprise me) but he TRIED IT!

We decided that we wanted to go to the PowWow instead of watching the parade so that helped us not have too much to do.  After the Farmers Market we headed over to the Donut House for a donut and hot chocolate (only I got an apple fritter and coffee).  As we were enjoying our treat I realized that the were in the parking lot, the roads were being blocked off, and the parade was going to start any minute (of course the people sitting on the sidewalk in front of the donut shop and the police turning cars away helped me realize that fact).  I also realized that it was 11:15 and the parade started at 11:00.  I almost panicked when I realized that the only way were were leaving was if we left right that instant or we’d be stuck until the parade was over.  So, we took off.  I could see the parade CLEARLY in my rearview mirror as we drove down the street with parade goers waving to us from the sidewalk (talk about a close call).

From there we headed to JulyAmsh – the PowWow for the Coeur d’Alene tribe.  It was fun.  Rider was a real trooper (of course the promise of a “real” indian arrow helped).  We watched the horse entrance, the eagle staff ceremony, and the grand entrance before getting too hot and moving indoors.  Inside we watched a bit of the dancing then decided ice cream would make a great lunch.  So we ate our “lunch” (actually Rider ate it I didn’t want any) then got his “real” indian arrow and left.  Here’s a picture Rider took of the Grand Entrance. 

From there we headed to the park by my house where we “enjoyed” the city festival.  I say “enjoyed” because he enjoyed it, I was bored.  In the past they’ve had great food and some fun booths to look at.  This year they had the utility company and Dish network (neither of which I care to talk to) along with not one but TWO chiroprators and not much else.  The food — that left a lot to be desired.  But, the kids area was fun for Rider.  He jumped in the jumphouses, talked with the firemen, and won a goldfish AND African Dwarf Frog.  Unfortuntely the goldfish died shortly after he got home.  But, he’s dealing well with learning about the death of goldfish.

Sunday we went to church and unfortunately I guess we got there a little late because his class was full so he had to go to big church with me.  He was amazing though and got a special treat afterwards.  Of course, his chocolate bar ruined his lunch but dude, he sat through the entire church service and only talked when he wanted to tell me that he liked the song we were singing.  Of course, it probably helped that I let him use my camera to keep him happy.

Here’s some pictures of “big church” from a 5 y/o’s perspective.

FYI…the picture above is of my friend who preached for the first time yesterday.  Rider took this after I told him which one was Thad.  Guess he thought I’d want it?

It was a fun weekend.   But, now it’s back to work.