Mom of Two Precious Boys... and One Perfect Angel: Balloon-less Festival

We anxiously headed to Albuquerque, NM, as we do around this time just about every year, for the International Balloon Fiesta; something that's become somewhat of a family tradition for us. It's exciting to finally unpack the winter clothes (hats and scarves included!) and just spend the weekend away from home with family! We were sure to check the weather from weeks, to days, to hours before our trip, because last year's festival was cancelled due to rain...luckily, no chance of rain this time, so we were super excited!

We headed to the balloon glow on Saturday evening and unfortunately, after sitting in traffic for a good 30 minutes, we got there just in time to see the last balloon go down...bummer. But we did get to see an amazing fireworks show. Poor Jaden was terrified and shut his eyes and squeezed his ears so tight, while Elijah and cousin Aubrey were mesmerized. In fact, Elijah had been screaming and crying (probably wondering why he was outside in the freezing cold instead of warm and cozy in his bed) until the moment he started watching the fireworks, and then...silence.

So we were a little bummed that we missed the balloons that night, but were so anxious for the launch on Sunday morning. We knew we had to get to bed early(ish) because part of the whole balloon festival experience is to get up at (actually, before) the crack of dawn to get there in time to watch all of the balloons lift off. And with two kids to get ready, that means getting up even earlier to get ready. So at 4:00am, we were up and at 'em, rushing around the hotel room (in the dark so we wouldn't wake the boys, yet) getting everything ready. Coats...check, gloves...check, hats...check, sweaters...check, sunscreen...check, sunglasses...check, spare clothes in case of an accident...check, spare clothes in case it gets warm...check, diapers...check, snacks...check, socks & leg warmers...check. It's amazing how much "stuff" kids require, especially when weather is an issue! And by 5:00, the kids were up, layered, bundled, and ready to go. Jaden couldn't believe we were really letting him get up already!

We were so excited for Jaden to get to see all of the amazing balloons and were thrilled when we arrived and hadn't missed the balloon lauch. We bopped along, headed to the huge field to get the perfect spot, and quickly noticed that none of the balloons were even unpacked. Then we started to notice that some of the balloonists were leaving! What's going on?? We then overheard that if the wind picked up by one degree (or however they measure wind), then the balloons would not be able to go up. Noooooo, not again! But we stayed hopeful and tried to convince ourselves that at least one balloon would go up (to test the wind, or something), and our experience wouldn't be a total loss. And then, over the loud speaker, a man announced that the balloons would not go up due to weather, "but please stick around, visit the booths, get some food, blah, blah, blah..." And Jaden insisted that we couldn't leave yet because "We not see any balloons go up in the sky." Poor guy, he was so looking forward to seeing the balloons. And luckily, just then we spotted a helium balloon drifting away into the air, and he was sold. Happy little camper...he got to see a balloon.

So two years in a row, we missed it! But, it wasn't a total loss. We definitely enjoyed some awesome family time together. We went to a duck pond and Jaden fed the ducks, went to the aquarium, and I got to go to Trader Joe's for the first time. I'd make another trip just to go there again! So even though our trip to the balloon festival ended up being balloon-less, it was well worth a weekend away!

At the UNM Duck Pond...