Jetta's first festival....

Yesterday we took Jetta to her first festival. Each year Highland has two festivals, one in the early summer, the Schweitzerfest and one in the fall, the Kirchenfest. In case you can't tell by the names, Highland has a large German influence. However, yesterday, we didn't see much of that, as the most of what we saw was a large rain influence. Despite that, we still had a great day.

We met several of our fellow Little Gym parents and Jetta's little friends. The plan was to watch the parade, eat dinner and let the kids ride some rides. Well, that still took place, but not without alot of rain, soaked clothes and soggy shoes. However, the kids didn't seem to mind. When we first arrived the tornado siren was going off, but we all waited it out and the parade got started about 30 mins late. Jetta wasn't a fan of the parade, well not the beginning anyway because it included all the fire trucks and ambulances. As they went by and blew the sirens she wasn't a fan. I kind of figured it would scare her and it surely did. As the parade went on and the trucks passed by, she started to warm up to the idea, but then the rain started to come down again. We all headed back to our cars to wait it out, at this point feeling more like ducks than humans, but still enjoying the day.

Once the parade was over and we could make our way across the parade route, we all headed out for dinner. We had hoped to go to our favorite Chinese restaurant, but they were closed. So, we had to make another choice. We ended up with pizza, but don't think the kids were disappointed. Finally, a bit dried out and our belly's full, we headed over to the festival. One of our friends had to leave, so it left just Jetta and Nathan.

We decided we would let them ride a couple of the rides that were small enough for them. There was a car ride and a small ferris wheel. We weren't sure what they'd think of them, but we put them in the car ride together and they loved it. They rode it several times, once in a car and the second time in the fire engine. I'm going to attach some pictures from both times. They look so cute - their first car date together! Then we took them over to the ferris wheel. I wasn't so sure how Jetta would do, but to my surprise she climbed right up into the seat, turned around and away they went. They had a great time and she was smiles the whole time. I'm going to also attach pictures from that ride.

It was great to see them have such a great time. However, it almost brought tears to my eyes, to see Jetta just climb right up in there, such a big girl, so grown up. My little girl is getting so big - already. People always say how fast they grow up and now that I'm living it, it's so true. She is growing up way to fast, much faster that I want her to. However, I'm so glad that I get to share these things with her, that she is so happy, willing to try these things. She is just so sweet, she is always so loving, willing to share with her little friends, give them hugs, etc. I'm so lucky to have such a sweet, loving little girl.

Hope you enjoy the pictures.