Renee Chou: A trip to the NC State Fair seemed like a hassle, and then she brought Elsa

As of this month, I’ve worked at WRAL for 14 years… and every year includes a stint at the North Carolina State Fair. I would see family after family coming through the WRAL tent -- many with babies or very young children -- ready to conquer the fair and make memories.

I like the fair -- the smell of deep-fried concoctions, the dazzling lights of the spinning rides, the promise of fun and delight at every turn. But ever since Elsa was born, I never felt a strong desire to take her. When she was a baby and toddler, the fair seemed too germy, too loud, and too crowded. Add onto the fact that my husband is not a fair lover for many of the same reasons -- and so we never made the time to go.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized the reasons I didn’t want to take her was really because it would be -- to be honest about it -- a hassle. For ME, the parent.

It’s a lot of walking involved, so I would need to take the stroller, even though my child doesn’t really like to sit in one anymore. She also likes to run a good distance from me at times. Chasing after her through a crowded midway would not be my idea of fun. There is so much sugary, unhealthy food everywhere. And what if she was too scared or nervous to go on any of the rides?

Or… what if she would love it?

Now at four years old, Elsa is tall enough to ride the rides in Kiddieland. Once I explained to her what the fair was and what we could do there, she was so excited to go.

On the advice of many of my mom friends -- we went on a weekday instead of a Saturday or Sunday. I took Monday off and made it into a mother-daughter day. I’m so glad I did. The weather was nice. A little overcast, but with sunshine peeking through. Upper 60s. It was a lovely Carolina fall day.

When we ventured into Kiddieland, at first she said no to trying the first few rides we passed. Then I saw the Balloon Fiesta, which was like a mini -Ferris wheel, with each cart resembling a hot air balloon basket. A bonus - I could ride that with her. So up, up and away we went -- and the view was breathtaking. Elsa loved seeing the sprawling fairgrounds from up above. From that vantage point, she spotted more rides she wanted to try.

After we got back on the ground, my sheet of ride tickets quickly vanished. Elsa boarded the “circus train;” went through a time machine tunnel; boarded another kiddie train, and then went on a ride in which the baskets spun in a circle, lifting off the ground. On each ride, her smile was so radiant. My heart was full knowing how much she was enjoying herself and secretly proud of her for trying new things.

Elsa spotted a game booth with an array of stuffed animals. “Let’s do that!” So she “went fishing” -- and lo and behold, caught herself one -- which allowed her to pick out a stuffed animal that I know will just collect dust on her dresser. She played another game, picked out another stuffed animal -- and wanted to do it again until I was able to steer her to another part of the fairgrounds to check out more rides.

Then she spotted a large tube slide that was part of a contraption called “Pirate’s Adventure.” You basically climb up three levels and then slide down. She kept up with the bigger kids climbing up a net; walked a “gangplank;” then powered through mini-obstacles to get to the top platform to slide down. Her excitement sliding down the chute matched that of going on any amusement ride.

All those rides works up an appetite! We shared a lemonade, a turkey leg, a sundae, mini-donuts and popcorn. She’s still too young to know about deep-fried treats … and hopefully we can keep it that way for awhile.

Elsa had an amazing time -- and so did I. To think I almost let all the “worst-case scenarios” keep me from taking her because it may have been frustrating, draining, or challenging ... for me only. Instead it was exhilarating, enjoyable and fun for us both.

When I asked her what what her favorite part of the fair, she said, “Spending time with you! And eating a sundae.”

Nothing could be finer!

Renee Chou, WRAL-TV morning anchor, is the mother of one. You can find her monthly on Go Ask Mom and all of the time on her Facebook page.