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| portrait of a frog |
I know I take the
Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade too seriously. I always attend the
balloon inflation party the night before. I come home and lay out everyone's clothes. I set the alarm clock at 4:45am so Rob can secure a spot by 5am. I leave the house with the kids at 6am. No makeup, no breakfast, and too many layers of clothes. I even put my boys in diapers to avoid bathroom breaks.
While my friends walk around with their hot chocolate laughing, I stand nervously at my post right on the front row. Whenever I walked away to check on my kids, I keep an eye my spot. I wish I could play it cool, but I can't. I get choked up at the first site of balloons, marching bands, and confetti. It lasts around 15 minutes before I can get it together. I love this parade. I will go every year I live here. I always tell people it's one of the rare things that lives up to my expectations.
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| she understands me |
A year ago I wrote
tips for watching the parade. Nine more pictures after the jump . . .
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| no make-up + 4 hours of sleep = NYC Taught Me |
Diapers!! Haahaaa you crack me up. Love these photos and how excited you get.
ReplyDeleteI am laughing so hard about the diaper part!!! Are you serious???
ReplyDeleteI was cracking up when I saw Rob's mustache, but after a minute, Danny and I were agreeing that he looks GOOD!! Looks like the day was magical, even with no sleep or make up :)
ReplyDeleteI love your commitment to the parade! Brian, Emily, and I go every year as well. We have not gotten up super early yet, we show up around 9 further downtown and just get a spot to see the balloons above. Hopefully one year we can get really close! My first year I moved here back in 2003 I woke up super early and it was worth it.
ReplyDeleteHope your family had a wonderful Thanksgiving!
I love that your family has that tradition. A memory your kids will share with friends and maybe their families someday. And your husband, the stache, Movember, you are so lucky he looks good in it. Mine does not and can't wait for this month to be over.
ReplyDeleteAmazing memories for your kids. I dislike crowds so much I can't even leave my house on Black Friday. So I'm kind of jealous and kind of scared at the same time. It would be incredible to see it in person at least once -- too bad you have to deal with all those people to do it -- but at least you don't have to deal with the dreaded parking. I see that Rob is celebrating Movember...
ReplyDeleteHaha this post reconnected me with Wild Nails and I'm so grateful. I've been reading and rolling with laughter. He is so so funny!
ReplyDeleteThis looks such fun. I love the dedication you have to getting your family a great spot
ReplyDeletehttp://ahandfulofhope.blogspot.co.uk/
you look great! make up is boring! hahahahahahha
ReplyDeleteHaha I was so stressed out, too. I paced my spot for two hours, just ask Rob! But we pulled it off! Hooray for us!
ReplyDeleteGreat photos - what a beautiful sunny day! I miss NYC - I would go the night before too. Putting the boys in diapers to avoid toilet stops cracked me up - good idea :)
ReplyDeleteI was a balloon handler this year! Got to hold Charlie Brown! It's amazing to see it in person but even more amazing to be involved, if you can believe it!
ReplyDeletesomeday I'm bringing my daughter all the way from Minnesota to see this parade in person... I can't wait. and if you save me a spot I"ll jump up and down and scream right along with you :)
ReplyDeleteThis is amazing! My kiddos are still too small to handle the waiting, so I tried to find a balance this year and got a decent spot at 8. I can't wait for them to be a bit bigger so I can be this hardcore! I too teared up when it started and my 2 year old saw his first glimpse of a marching band. Such a great day in NYC!
ReplyDeleteNYC is magical on that day. i love how you embrace it and recognize how special it really is.
ReplyDeleteI remember when my father and I were the only ones awake in our home, we left my mom and sister sleeping, and we snuck out of the house took the subway from Brooklyn to see the parade. It's a favorite childhood memory of mine. I think i was seven or eight.
i know exactly where you're standing (my friends used to live across the street). perfect spot. ;)
This looks so fun! I love how you made it a family tradition!
ReplyDeleteDo you put the boys in diapers for other events that require long lines?
-Irene
This is how I feel about the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta. I do NOT care that it falls during midterms, that we have to pay exorbitant amounts to get there, or that we have to drive several hours the day before. That even is worth it.
ReplyDeleteI totally feel you on the whole composing yourself after 15minutes thing. I live in LA and the Rose Parade on New Years Day is AH-MAY-ZING!!!!! My youngest sister was in it in 2011 and I cried seeing her. The parade is awesome, and so much fun!
ReplyDeleteYou didn't really put them in diapers did you??? Kind of cruel...
ReplyDeleteI walk with one of the balloons! I wish I knew where you were standing, I would have waved to your kids!
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