Great Balloon Race

Today was a first.  We woke ourselves up at 3:50am to get our family ready and out the door to go see the Great Reno Balloon Race.  I was awoken several times throughout the night by eager children curious if it was "time to go see the balloons yet".  I think it was around the second or third time of asking when Ellie finally asked if she could just climb in our bed with us.  I told her "yes", as long as she would sleep and stop asking if it was time to go yet.  3:50 came entirely too soon.  

I prepared for the morning by making each child a bucket.  In it was their clothing, shoes, hat, gloves, sweater and jacket.  It made getting them ready in the morning so simple.  We got out the door, headed to a friends house, and then walked a short distance to the park.  

I almost took a dirt nap and lost my youngest two children while going down a steep dirt hill in the park.  A sweet lady behind me grabbed onto my stroller and dug in to help me get it the rest of the way down.  Sheesh.  My 5:00am brain can't handle that sort of chaos.

The kids did amazingly well considering how early they awoke.  They loved the balloons and enjoyed seeing the balloons light up in the dark.

Eventually they got tired....

So we left and enjoyed breakfast with some friends, followed by a 2 hour nap for each child before lunch.  Whooo!

I am so tired.  Would I do it again?  Yes.  For sure.  Totally worth it!  I remember my parents taking me when I was little.   I hope my children remember it, too.