I hope everyone is having a good Labor Day weekend! Ours is jam packed with lots of Sugarwings time. Her poor Hippy Chick Mommy has strep throat, so she is staying with us. It works out well, because we have my sweet little mother-in-law here for a few days and these two have become buddies.
Yesterday, we spent the day at the Kansas City Renaissance Festival. That place is beyond charming. Its tucked away into a hilly, shaded area that is a permanent location for the event, so lots of time and money have gone into the quaint little buildings. You really feel like you are in a fairy tale village when you go there.
And where else do you get to mingle with royalty?
There are stages all over the park with silly plays going on throughout the day. Sugarwings was picked from the audience to participate in one, and after that, she seemed to think that she was meant to be a star. That kid has some ham in her.
But at the end of the day, when I asked her what her favorite part of the festival was, she said, the play ground. There is a kid's area set up with a pirate ship, jungle gym, and lots of crafts. She would have sat and made magic wands all day if that had been an option.
Another favorite for both us us was this tent. It was such a simple thing, a floaty, diaphanous tent that hung from a tree. When you darted in and out of it, the whole thing would sway.
In past years, we have gone with big groups to the Ren Fest. This year, it was just my husband, his mom, our fairy baby, and me. We mostly followed the little one around and let her explore as she pleased. So, we were happy to sit and talk while she made friends with kids playing in the tent. She spent at about a half hour just hanging out there.
We've been to the park numerous times, so didn't feel the need to press on and fit the whole thing into the after noon. We paused to enjoy the little things and took our time watching a dragon fountain splashing against the rocks and contemplating some eggs that might just hatch into baby dragons.
The gown that she wore was just beautiful. It was a gift from a friend who shops estate and garage sales and found it for a couple dollars. The dress is vintage, and very nicely hand made, but since there wasn't a huge investment in it, I was comfortable in letting her run and play and get as dirty as she wanted.
Plus, why have nice things if you can't use and enjoy them?? "Use the good stuff" is my motto in life as well as in the studio with my supplies.
The festival has a different theme each year, this year it is Cinderella, so that is who Sugarwings pretended to be all day. And this gown was just perfect for it! Tiny girls all wanted to stop her and meet her, I think she made them think she was a real princess. She was Queen of the Toddlers that day.
Just the same way that she believed all the royalty that she met there was real.
This woman is my favorite, every year she has the most elaborate costume, and is so good natured and friendly to the little kids. For the Cinderella theme, she is playing Fairy Godmother this year, and is ideal for the part.
There are lots of games to play, too, including putting for unicorns. My husband works for a golf course company, but I'm afraid that Sugarwings and I just are not the Country Club types. I've never played a round in my life. But if we could find some courses that had horned Pan creatures as caddies and everyone dressed up like princesses, I might be able to get into the game.
And especially if country clubs awarded good putts with unicorns!
If you have a little princess or pirate in your life and live anywhere near KC, you really need to take them to this place. It goes on for 8 weekends every fall, and is $18.99 for adults, $9.99 for kids. But if you bring 5 canned goods to donate to a homeless shelter, you can buy one get one free.
The place is just too charming for words. Of course, you wouldn't know by these pictures, all I've shown you is my little obsession grandchild. The site is picturesque, and there is a lot to do besides follow a 4 year old around with a camera. There is jousting, games, elephant and camel rides, great food (beer and wine too), parades, fairy dances, shows, plays, comedians and magicians. You can be as silly as you want and dress up, or just go as yourself and enjoy seeing all the other people's crazy costumes. (wear comfy shoes, no matter how dressed up you get!!)
Sugarwings plays the Cinderella role well….such a little beauty! Looks like everyone had a great time.
Oh my goodness Karla, these pictures you took of Sugarwings are BEAUTIFUL! She is quite the beauty, and you captured that in every photo. Thanks for sharing, and it looks like you had a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of the long weekend!
Oh, my word!! This post is just so enchanting!!! You got me so excited now that I have my own little girl to play dress up… Squeeel! Sugar Wings is just the cutest girl in that dress. And what are you talking about Karla?! You take wonderful pictures woman!! I am going back to stare at Fairy Godmother’s dress some more… Just charming!!
Hugs!!
Sonia
Wonderful! I have never been but it looks a lot of fun! That kiddo of yours is adorable. Glad that you had such a fun day!
Sandy
Beautiful post, Karla…Sugarwings looked like she was having the best day…
What a magical way to spend the day…I am sure your little Sugarwings is the most blessed little princess in ANY realm…Karla you are a treasured gift:)…thanks again for sharing your beautiful little obsession with us 🙂
What a wonderful way to spend the day!! The Renaissance Festival here in Ohio is about an hour away from where I live. About 5 years ago, my niece got married and had a renaissance theme wedding. I made her wedding dress and they got married in the pine forest here at a local park…it was magical!! She wore her dress to the Renaissance Festival the following weekend…and was told that her dress was more beautiful than the queen’s, so she should not let the queen see her or she might be thrown in jail. LOL… Too fun!!
Sugarwings sure was an adorable princess!!
~Cindy~
Absolutely Enchanting. She is definitely a little Cinderella.
Wendy from Wonderland
Karla, it is gorgeus pictures of your little sweet girl, how wonderfull she looks in the beautifull dress, my Mathilde (3 years old) would love it ,too–she is alwayes (in her mind) a pink prinsess,too.As her mother (my daughter) won`t allowe me to put her photo on my blog,-you have to take my wort, that she is the sweetest prinsess ever-just like your Sugarwing, lol—
Wishing you a lovely monday.
Hugs,Dorthe
This was certainly a day with a golden edge! You could make a scrapbook series, small or thin books ‘Sugarwings as…’ Cinderella in this case, or Dorothy etc. etc. I just love to see her photos. She is such a cheerful pretty girl who really dumps into the party (I just don’t know how to say it in English, hope you’ll know what I mean). Have a great week!
Beautiful beautiful beautiful.
AW! Beautiful all around, Karla! You photographed your granddaughter so professionally it looks like they are stills taken from a movie!
Hugs, DIane
karla – i couldn’t agree more – “use the good stuff”. this is a wonderful post:)
mary
What a beautiful little girl! The festival looks fun–think I will google it and find out where it is-I live in Columbia, Mo–not too far from KC.
OH….MY…..GOSH!!!!!!! What a beautiful day you had with your sweet and may I say BEAUTIFUL Sugarwings. She has the most gorgeous blue eyes. As I was reading your beautiful post and drooling over all your wonderful pictures of her, I was thinking…Karla could make this into a childrens book..your photography is just out of this world beautiful. The shots you caught of Sugar Wings and her expressions are beautiful. She is so lucky to have you as a granny. I just loved the Fairy Godmother also. Makes me want to dress up and go.
Ginger
You really are the BEST Grandma
awesome photos. looks like you all had a wonderful time.
I kept thinking, “How did Karla get photos of a dream?” That was some trip. You are one of those rare women who make magic happen for those you love. It takes intelligence to grasp a moment, creativity to add a special touch, energy to follow through, and just plain goodness of heart and joy to care about everyone. I feel blessed to read your posts, and inspired… and wistful I must admit. What a magical memory.
It looks like a lovely day! I myself would have liked to have a little chat with the fairy godmother. A fantasy leftover from my own childhood!
Beautiful! Thank you so much for taking care of our sweet princess while I heal, it really means the world to me that she gets to enjoy the world instead of having to sit in the house while I’m too sick to play.
You are a blessing!!
Oh how wonderful Sugarwings got to go to this place…her dress is so lovely…just looked so good with all the Renaissance affair…I would love to take my Hattie Jane to one of these but she is going to have to have one of those dressess…they have a Renaissance festivale here..Sugarwings is so beautiful..such a joy for you. I finally posted some more on my blog.Sally
Okay. This was seriously, deliriously beautiful! Sugarwings is the perfect little princess. What a day. I still remember the very first Ren Faire in KC. It was hotter than blazes, they ran out of food and drinks and no one really “got it.” I think it was in 1975 or 1976 – thereabouts. We have a great one in Wisconsin, but one of these years I’d love to come back and see what good ole KC has done. It’s been TWENTY YEARS!! sHEESHK. I’m sorry I thought of that…hee-hee
What a fabulous day!
Kathy
Wow!
Your photos of Sugarwings are just magical. She is going to be one lucky girl to have so many fabulous photos documenting her growing up years.
~elaine~
What a wonderful post….Sugarwings makes the perfect Cinderella. I am amazed at how bright blue her eyes are. I love blue eyes. My Father had ice blue eyes, my daughter has darker blue eyes, my wonderful, sweet, good second husband also had light icey blue eyes. Alas my eyes are green with envy at the beautiful day you had with your family. Ha…not really….Love you all!
Laraine
Hi Karla…what a gorgeous post….that child gets more beautiful evry week!!!! I have been to a Ren Fair ,years ago here on Vancouver Island..it was enchanting,as is yours…how great to have a continuous one…more pix please….Lorraine
She is so incredibly beautiful!!!
Beautiful pictures…I love the one with the sheer red curtain in the background. The look on her face is just precious.
Renaissance Faires are always such fun!
Beautiful – simply beautiful
wow she is just beautiful, great pictures too!
Looks like she had the royal treatment! She is enchanting and has her spell on you and your hubby! I love how a child’s magic lures us in and how much they have to share with us, as we do with them! Enjoy those wonderful moments you are making! Treasure in the making~
How wonderful, Karla! I’ve only been to a Renaissance Festival once in my life {in upstate New York when I was a kid}. I believe it is always there; something to think about doing one of these days! Sugarwings looks like she fits right in and that woman’s costume is lovely. Does she make her own gowns?
Your little sugarwings is such a stunner, so precious. I swear she has the most magical childhood of any child I know. If only we had all had grandmothers like you!
I finally got to go to class!!! I have a little sneak peek of my banner up today, can’t wait to tackle more projects, so much fun. Love all the little extras between lessons too. You and Beth have done a wonderful job!
What a beautiful post Karla! Totally enchanting! Thanks for stopping by and entering my giveaway.
Loving Gothic Ghosts!!!!
xoJoAnne
just lovely. what a fabulous day. Had a great time catching up. Didn’t realise it had been so long since I last paid a visit to you!
xx
How delightful, Karla. What a fun and enchanting place to visit.
Karla,
Fairy Baby looks wonderful (in fact, she is stunningly beautiful and I can see a young adult in her that is also stunningly beautiful). Did you dress for the Ren fest? I would love to see you dressed up. I am SURE that if you didn’t now, you did at one time….right!!!!! What a great deal with the cans of food…a BOGO! We have one here…my KC rellies tell me that yours is much better!
Hugs,
Suz
Just found your site and it is spectacular! I love it. . and that is a very pretty princess!
Oh my goodness! She is adorable Karla !! Love the photos you took!! Oh my goodness~~How could you ever say no to sweet sugar wings? Love the costume too!!
You are such an awesome Grandma!!
xo
Kay
What a gorgeous post!! And what a gorgeous Sugarwings!! My favorite picture is of her lifting up her pretty dress and hiding underneath are her little tennis shoes….such a darling pose!! =)
I’m thinking it is far more fun to take a gorgeous little girl to a RenFest than two active boys! (They wouldn’t think of costumes!) (That said, the sword play remains a fond memory!)