Parade Escapade

I remember a long time ago, when I was about 4 years old, my mom took my sister and I on a trip to Florida with my grandparents. On our way back we rode with my grandparents and camped along the way at different campgrounds. The Yogee bear campground was particularly exciting and my grandpa took me to the hayride they offered the children through the park. I was very excited, but then as the hayride pulled away and my grandpa was standing there watching me pull off, I became terrified. I thought for sure that my grandpa would not know where to find me when they dropped me back off and that I would be lost forever. I spent the entire ride worrying and pretty much terrified of everyone around me. I just did not understand the concept of the ride making a circle and returning to where it started. Needless to say, I was very relieved when the ride returned and my grandpa was there waiting with his grin. I don't even know if I told him how afraid I had been. I just wanted him to be proud of me.
Yesterday was the Kick-Off of Fair Week here in Stateboro. The festivites begins with the annual Ogeechee Parade through town. Will's gymnastics school had their own float, and Will's tumbling class participated by riding the "hayride" float. The older gymnasts walked behind and performed tumbling acts down the street. Remembering my own childhood experience, I was a bit worried that Will would not understand what was happening and might freak out. I decided to walk next to the float pushing Natalie in the stroller. That way Will could see me, and I could get to him at any time. Will was very brave at first, but all of a sudden he started looking for me and the tears started flowing. He was pretty inconsolable as he decided he could not stay on without sitting on mommy's lap. (He used the phrase, "I can't like it mommy! I can't like it, hayride!")
Thankfully, my friend Brandy took Natalie for me. Her son also decided he also did not feel up to braving the float by himself so they went and watched with Natalie and Frannie.
It was all in all a really fun experience. Will enjoyed it alot once he calmed down and realized I was not going to leave him.
Here is Will after just getting on...

Deciding he did not like it one bit!!! Happy because mommy was riding too!
Looking for Daddy in the crowds of people.
Will really mastered the pageant wave and was shouting hello to all the people. I was cracking up. I am not sure where he learned to wave like that, but he had it down!