"Mommy! Balloons!"

I imagine that is what Madeline would have said if she'd gone to Balloon Fiesta a year or two from now. But since I took her a few days ago, the morning consisted of a lot staring - and not necessarily in the direction of any of the action. But she looked super cute in her hat, and she was a hit at the event we attended.

Going to Balloon Fiesta requires getting up pretty early. We were already half-way there by this point:

It can also be kind of chilly, although this morning was just a little cool. Regardless, a hat was in order:

Steve Stucker is a local broadcaster who is clearly very fanatical about the Fiesta. Obviously, Madeline didn't seem to share his enthusiasm:

"Mommy. Is there something behind you I'm supposed to be looking at?"

"Hey - don't I know him from daycare? What's he doing out here?" This is my co-worker Emma and her son Evan. Emma is the one that told me about the wonderful daycare where Madeline goes now.

"Balloons are pretty. But I'd rather take a nap."