I was going to title this post “The Last Ren Faire,” but that seemed excessively dramatic, even in sarcasm. This was the last Ren Faire we went to with Garyn as an actual resident of our household. He has submitted his application to his top college (BYU) and will be applying to a few more schools for funsies. Unless something unforeseen and huge happens…he’ll be moved out and settled elsewhere by this time next year. But here’s the thing. We have at least another 10 more years of Ren Faire before Corra moves out and as long as Layna is down for going, we’ll go forever. So it’s hardly the last.
This year was different and comfortingly the same. Different because I now have three big ones who can go off on their own. Different because they were all old enough to purchase a major thing all on their own (Layna could have, she is just saving her money for her upcoming Disney trip). Different in that we sprang for caramel apples and a turkey leg to commemorate Garyn’s last. But it was the same feeling, the same performers that we’ve learned to love over the years, and the same joyful anticipation. It goes without saying that there will always be costumes.
There is going to be a massive photo scroll but first some explanations: Corra has been wanting a pauldron since Ren Faire last year. Now she has one. Naomi decided she needed her own corset because mine are just too tall and don’t fit great. She now has one to be the base of an awesome costume for next year. Garyn wanted a drinking horn, but got lured by the puzzle ring booth…he’s a sucker for clever fidget toys and now he has a super cool puzzle ring. Layna enjoyed experiences– zip line jousting, a second caramel apple, and a camel ride. As always we loved walking around and interacting with all the fairies, merchants and a goblin. Also mermaids. Layna made friends with a mermaid.

Quick pause in the photo dump. Naomi was a steam punk explorer girl. Corra was a barbarian (she was invited to join a few clans) and Garyn was basically Hiccup with a viking braid. My oldest and my youngest love each other and I have the most amazing pictures of them being twinsy besties. [Resume]

I’ve probably mentioned that our standing arrangement is that at any remotely crowded event Neil and Layna are buddies. This frees me up to do everything else and it makes everyone happy. Neil even makes goofy faces for me and poses for our standard selfies. I love him so much.