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The Perth Royal Show is held every year and is similar to the state fairs that take place across the US. It’s generally focused on agriculture and regional Australia (with prizes awarded for the best livestock), but also includes a lot of rides, junk food and … showbags.

Showbags are generally themed and have 5-15 different toys, gadgets and other bits of plastic junk relating to that theme. We like to think we’re doing our very important part to support the Chinese economy. The kids spend a lot of time agonising over which bag to get; comparing the contents, considering the utility and evaluting the coolness factor. They’re fully aware, however, that the chocolate and candy bags are totally off limits.

We had another reason for visiting the show this year: LR had two of her photographs accepted into the photographic exhibition. It was a big accomplishment; only the best photos make it in, and she was competing with high school kids, too!

This year, we visited two times: once during the day, and a follow-up visit in the evening to see the excellent fireworks with Grammy, Poppa and the Melbourne cousins, PA and MS.

Well, we're here guys. What should we do first?

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LR had two photos included in the Perth Royal Show photo exhibition. All the entries are judged and scored, and a lot of images don’t make it in, so this is a pretty big deal! Unfortunately, she didn’t win any of the category prizes, and she was fairly disappointed… until she found out about the People’s Choice Award…

LR: Mom, can we take everyone back to the photo display to vote for my photo?

Mom: Sure. But remember that the People’s Choice award is across all categories. You have to get a lot of votes to win that one!

LR: They don’t get you to put your name on the voting slip. I’ll just vote lots of times.

Mom: That’s called stacking the ballot box, honey.

LR: Great. Let’s do that.

Mom: You’re not really supposed to do that. It makes it less fair.

LR: It’s already not fair. I’m only seven and they’re all grownups. How else am I going to win?

Mom: By taking a really good photo. Your age doesn’t matter.

LR: Yeah. Or we can just get everyone in the family to vote lots of times. I like that idea better.

Every year, we head off to the Perth Royal Show to see the animals, ride some rides, watch some wood chopping, cheer on the sheep dogs, and of course, pick up a couple of showbags. If you haven’t been, it’s just like a state fair in the US, but perhaps a little smaller with fewer crazy rides. It’s great fun, and we haven’t missed it yet.

RJ challenged one of the Australian Defense Force underwater operations specialists to a game of tic-tac-toe.

LR got her hands on some very cute chicks.

"Whoah. This came from one really big chicken."

LR cuddled this guinea pig for nearly half an hour. RJ discovered that it loved carrots.

RJ's uneaten sandwich had the undivided attention of this Australian Shepherd.

Mum and LR queue up to buy some tickets for the rides.

LR makes some waves in the bumper boats.

"Hey! Look out! You're going to *BUMP* ... crash into me!"

RJ and LR take a wild ride on the kids' roller coaster.

RJ shows off his fantastic new hat from his Backyardigans Showbag.

LR gets to work right away with her new paper and pens from her showbag!

LR jumps on Mum's back for a fast getaway! That's all until next year's show!