TROYFEST

"Nobody can be uncheered with a balloon."
-Winnie the Pooh

Yes,I have missed the entire month of April blogging but for those that know me, I usually go MIA the entire month of April due to TroyFest. I have the privilege of serving as our local arts festival chairman but around April things get a little hectic (well, a lot actually!) and my poor family accepts me and loves me in spite of it! A Big Thanks to Matt for all your extra help with keeping Campbell and our home as clean and normal as possible in my absence- I love you!!

While this was not Campbell's first TroyFest (07 she was mostly sleeping in the stroller and 06 she was in the womb while I was running around everywhere!) this was definitely her most active festival. She had lots of fun pointing out the various things that she recognized (like choo choo, swaberry, boy, etc. but her most favorite was BALLOONS (or "mahoons").

We bought a fun piece of artwork for Campbell's room so she can begin her own little art collection. (artist: Brownwyn Hanahan). Thankfully all grandparents were in full force that weekend so I could work but know that my little one was getting to experience everything.

-THE PORTRAIT-
Arthur Smith was a portrait artist that actually did my portrait when I was younger at the Jean Lake Festival. I was thrilled he was coming to TF this year and wrote an editorial about how it all was coming full circle for me and how wonderful it was going to be to now have my own daughter sit for one of his pastel drawings.

WELL... the scene was not quite as sweet and endearing as my poetic license. Campbell had a top-5 all time screaming fits. Numbers 1-4 would include shots and a wasp bite...get it? So of course I was getting lots of stares and I walked away with her twice because I just couldn't stand it. We tried everything: juice, toys, songs, magic tricks. Nothing but screams.

We finally figured out that when she saw him drawing that she wanted to draw. With his pastels. On his paper. We realized that this was not going to be easy. Finally, on the 3rd attempt I grabbed a balloon and with the help of Jess (Jessica Webb), she was fascinated just long enough for Arthur's finishing touches.

Somehow, a screaming child ended up looking like a sweet angel, standing barefoot in a garden, holding a little daisy. Thanks to a lime green balloon that saved the day!

Maybe one day Campbell will serve on the 30th annual TroyFest committee and she can write about her own blissful experience getting her little portrait done while her loving mother and father simply smiled with delight. And she will be none the wiser until she has her own!

Here are some other highlight pics from the festival. My prayers were answered that we ended up having blue skies both days (in spite of high % of rain in the forecast!). Thanks to all my friends who sent up prayers on my behalf, served with me on the committee, volunteered, exhibited or just came out to shop and enjoy the weekend with us. Overall, it was a great success and lots of fun!