I debated about taking the older two girls to see the balloon races this year. I figured that I’d take LB and C Bear, and leave my husband with Little N at home. But then I thought it’s early, I’d be on my own, it would be a lot of walking with stuff, etc., etc. I was ready to do it, but after talking to my husband about it, I decided against it. We’d wait one more year we decided. Then our plans changed. We got a pass that would allow us to park inside the park. Less walking. So it was decided Friday night, that we would all go, and we’d to the whole thing. Glow Show, Dawn Patrol, and Mass Ascension.

Friday night I went to the store and bought doughnuts and little containers of milk to take with us in the morning. I also packed our wagon, blankets, and diaper bag the night before. Then I woke up at 3:30 am on Saturday, woke up the husband, and we proceeded to pack the rest of our stuff including hot chocolate (made with milk, yum) into our minivan. We then woke our kids up, packed them up and were on the rode a little after 4:00 am. We live about 5 minutes from the park were the balloon races take place, but our parking pass dictated that we drive around the park to the other entrance. And guess what, there was traffic! So much so that it took us roughly 30 minutes to get parked and out of the car. We found pretty good seats for the Glow Show and Dawn Patrol just outside the field where the balloons actually launch. After Dawn Patrol we packed everything up in our minivan (seriously the best car around) and headed to the field to watch the balloons launch. It was so neat to see, and to share with my girls. Little N kept yelling “balloon, balloon” and LB and C Bear figured out that they could run around and get balloon trading cards.

Overall it was worth it, if only to see it through my daughters’ eyes. It never gets old to see all the colors and balloons. I don’t think we’d go again though until our girls are old enough to walk. If I’m going to sit in my car for a half hour, I might as well walk.