Upland Children's Christmas Parade

So, whoever decided that moms and babies should be at a parade 1.5 hours before they will actually march in the parade is seriously nuts! Oh, I should back up. :)

Stroller Strides and Luna Club got a group of us mommies and babies together to decorate our strollers/wagons and walk in the Upland Children's Christmas Parade this past Saturday evening. Any other time of the year and it would have been perfect weather - this night however happened to be quite chilly. But, seeing as it is December and a Christmas parade I guess it did make sense for it to be cold. BUT - getting there 1.5 hours early and standing around in the cold was not necessary. Next year we'll do it differently.

So, whatever, we're standing around in the cold but when the kids got used to it they were okay... crawling around in the middle of the street/parking lot, being pulled in wagons, pushed in strollers, listening to the cheer groups practice, seeing all the people milling about... the kids were in heaven.

Well, one little boy, Kayla's friend Cooper, had had enough after about an hour and decided it was time to cry. After 30 minutes of this his parents finally decided to leave...which meant Kayla had to get out of the wagon the two were sharing. She was perfectly content in the wagon and was not at all pleased to go into the stroller. But once the parade got going all was forgiven. She didn't exactly smile and laugh and have a grand ole time during the parade, but she was mesmerized by all the people.

When a bunch of them waved at her she waved back which was completely adorable. Considering how small the parade route was, there sure were a lot of people there. All the moms and babies did actually have a good time - despite the cold - so I do believe we'll be doing this again next year (just not arriving so early!)

Since I was in parades my entire life due to pee-wee cheerleading and then drill team I had to get her started early. And I was so excited to see all the little brownies, girl scouts, dance teams, cheer squads all there marching! One day that will be her! And I couldn't be more thrilled!

(this video is really short and kinda loud but I thought I'd post it anyway... enjoy!)