Getting to come home to this scary skeleton is well worth it!

Also, did I mention he glows in the dark?

So happy (x10)

The State Fair!

Whatever, I'm getting cheese fries! 

Row of photo booths!

The Ferris Wheel

Jack's fair experience: hot dogs, cotton candy, winning prizes, and feeding baby goats

He has a thing for sticking out his tongue

This is why we can't have nice things

Where have I been these past few days, you may ask? Breaking, that's where! Fall Break started Friday and I've been enjoying this long weekend at home with my family like no other! It's been the perfect anecdote to midterms and the college grind. Saturday we started the day off with lots of shopping. Who knew I had no winter clothes? I am now three or four sweaters, twenty pairs of socks, and one pair of boots richer. Parents are the best. Also, I'm never one to complain about a stocked fridge (something my apartment certainly is lacking). 

Sunday, the family decided to head out to the State Fair for a couple of hours. It wasn't Jack's first time, but it was his first time as a walking talking and highly investigative three year old. He wanted to see the rabbits and the ducks most of all, even asking at one point, "how do you pet a duck?" What a disarming question! I mean, how do you answer that? He wasn't too keen on the rides, most of them a bit too scary for him to contemplate going on, but he really enjoyed the games. He got to play several and got to win no less than three prizes (a stuffed dolphin, a huge blow up butterfly, and a green ball). He also thoroughly enjoyed the various petting zoo and animal areas.

Since Jack wasn't having it with the rides we segued pretty seamlessly into the 'fair food extravaganza' portion of the day. We enjoyed delicious gyros, mile long corn dogs, frozen cheesecake dipped in chocolate (my favorite), and a steaming plate of freshly fried pull apart cheese-fries. I would've sampled more but I was stuffed and let me tell you, I didn't regret not a single bite. 

Today was spent playing with Jack and visiting with extended family. I woke up and fell into routine. I made Jack and I breakfast, got some work done, had lunch with my mother on her lunch break, and went to grocery store. I had a nice afternoon playing with Jack, long talks with Dad, family dinner, and rounded out the night with some Gossip Girl and packing to head back. Also, I was able to paw through boxes of my old writings/stories/poetry and I am completely amazed/thrilled about my hoarding abilities. Finding gems from as early as 2004 is so wonderful to me.

Every time I come home I'm reminded of how lucky I am to live the life I do. Home is so wonderful, so comfortable and familiar. Sometimes I wish I could lead dual lives...life at home and at college. I loved having these few days to spend with my family and friends to refuel. I'm returning back to college with a rich sense of purpose, direction, and renewed motivation to some degree. 

I can't wait to see what the rest of this season has in store for me. Sorry this post is a bit lengthy, but I felt you guys deserved a proper update.

What have you been up to lately?