Mayfest 2009

Whew--what a weekend!

It was Mayfest here in Strasburg, and I was afraid the rain would ruin all of the fun that we wait for each year. But, Mother Nature was kind and we got in lots of fun activities in between the downpours.

Friday was the start of the carnival, and I am so glad we decided to go the first night, because the rain likely closed it down Saturday night.

Mamaw and Papaw had come in for the weekend to take Luke back home, so they joined us on this expedition to the parking lot behind the fire hall. (Sounds exciting huh?!)



We got there around 6:30pm and there was already a huge amount of people, but Gracie was patient and waited her turn. Thomas was patient too. In fact, he was a little darling for his first carnival experience. He couldn't get enough of the lights and sounds. In fact I had to close up the stroller completely so he could get some sleep.

After about an hour of rides and yanking on Papaw to take her to the next thrill of her choice she found her friend Emma from preschool. After that, those two were inseperable and they held hands and went from ride to ride to ride. I think Papaw was a little relieved as he had ridden one too many times on the carousel with her.

The girls also bumped into friends Regan, Alexis & Cameron at the carnival. (It was like a preschool reunion all weekend long, and it was so cute to see them interact with each other out of school--like they were grownups seeing old friends!)

I felt bad that she ditched her family, but was quite grateful to Emma (and her dad) as Emma seemed to encourage Gracie a little. In fact, Gracie went on the Dizzy Dragons with her without and adult and had a great time, even though she swore at the start of the carnival that she was too scared of them. Then she and Emma got on the carousel with out a parent! This would be Gracie's first carousel ride ever without someon holding on to her. I was so impressed. And, thankful as I said, to Emma's dad who stood in line with the girls and helped Gracie on and off of rides. I was there watching like a hawk, but had the baby. At one point he had one girl under each arm and I know it had to be a shock. His little girl is this adorable tiny petetite thing that weighs probably half of my very tall, solid girl.

But they had tons of fun and said their goodbyes when it was time to go. I cut her off at 9pm, and I think we made it back to the car by 9:30.

This morning Mamaw & Papaw got up at the crack of dawn, and when Gracie woke up they took her back out. They went to the pancake breakfast and then walked around and saw the vendors and even got to one of the bouncy rides before heading home. Gracie saw Carson, another classmate, while she and Mamaw were walking.

More friends were out to play when we headed back this afternoon. It was overcast and looked like it would downpour at any minute so we let her do as many activities as she could. She went from bouncy thing to bouncy thing like a little jack rabbit. There she found little Emma (that I used to babysit), Dylan, Cole & Meadow all from preschool.

Gracie got in about an hour of playtime before the rain hit, but we waited it out in daddy's office for about 20 minutes and then went back out again.

Thankfully the rain passed over and the sun came out just in time for the parade! This year we decided to be smart and take folding chairs to the parade, and it was so much more comfortable! Thomas was pretty comfy in his stroller too, until the motorcycles came by. After that he was held--but LOVED watching all the people in the parade roll down King Street.


After the parade we got treats and headed home, just in time since a HUGE storm hit not too long after we walked in the front door.

It was a fun weekend and I am so glad that the rain didn't ruin it, and we got to share it with the family that visited.

**I've got tons of pictures included in this blog entry, but there are even more! Click here to see.**

Share this post