And the Winner is....

Every year, Saratoga Springs has a week long City-pride type event called Saratoga Splash Days. There's stuff going on all day pretty much all week. One of the events is a baby contest. I got this silly idea into my head to enter Rachel into the contest. Brian thought it was a good idea. So, putting aside thoughts of "You're going to be one of THOSE moms? Really?" out of my head, I showed up at the park, paid the $5 registration fee, took her in front of the judges, and waited for the winners to be announced, all the while feeling quite silly. Brian worked from home so that I could take her because Michael woke up with a fever that morning. Yeah, felt silly. Thankfully, she got a board book (The Very Hungry Caterpillar) and snack cups just for entering the contest. 

The judges oohed and awed over her. "Look at that red hair! I always wanted a redhead!" "I love her dress." "She's so cute!" And while we were waiting for results, I texted Brian and said, "I'm afraid that she'll win and I'll end up having to ride in the parade with her." I pushed her in a stroller around the park, waiting for the winners to be announced. I made the mistake of forgetting to bring snacks, and I didn't want her to play on the equipment since she was in her nice dress. Finally, they started announcing the six winners (one from each age category). And when they got to the 12-18 month olds, Rachel was announced the winner. She got a gift basket with bath toys, sand toys, a beach towel, gift card to The Children's Place, and a gift certificate for a free photography session and prints. I was feeling a little less silly about entering. We can now make a legitimate claim that we have a cute baby. It's been confirmed officially. 

So that meant riding in the parade the next day. Brian dropped us off and then found a place to watch the parade. Apparently Michael struggled with the whole trying to get candy thing. He hesitated too much and other kids would pick it up before he could. Oh well. He still got plenty of candy. 

 We got to ride behind the Westlake Marching Band. If you ask Michael about the parade, he will tell you that his favorite part was the marching band. Surprise, surprise, right?

 People loved our parade entry because of the Chik-fil-a cow train. Rachel blew kisses and waved for the first 1/3 of the parade, and about halfway through, she just wanted out. But, nobody watching seemed to notice, so that's good.

After we finished with the parade, Rachel and I walked back to meet Brian and Michael. I carried her part of the way, and she toddled after me when I got too tired to carry her. At one point, Mia Love's crew caught up to us and watched Rachel picking up trash. They oohed and awed over her, "What a good citizen!" "She's so cute!" "Look at that red hair." Mia Love told me, "You have a such a cute daughter." There you have it. Rachel is a cute baby. I guess we'll keep her.