All of my boys have been in baby contests. I think they are just fun … and we usually win! Call me horrible, but it is true. The exception was the year Rusty was a baby and there were 20+ babies in his category and he got nothing. I kind of swore off the baby contests after that.
But I gave in the next year and Tommy won his age group.
This year I decided it might be our last time to do a baby contest, so I signed Bobby up for the Hooper Tomato Days Baby Contest.
To calm your pre-contest nerves, it is best to chew on the dental floss you got in your grab-bag…
The judges hung out right in front of us, but I could tell they were discussing other babies. I needed some of that floss to chew on for my nerves!
(I’m not hiding in this picture – I’m trying to kiss his back and make him smile or laugh)
The theme of the baby contest was Hawaiian and they had it all decorated and cutesy. While waiting for the judges’ comments, Rusty pointed to the decorated stage and asked, “Why is it all weird up there? Like Africa or something …”
but …… we won!!!
Bobby is the 2014 Cherry Tomato Prince!
As they read through the awards for his age group, I felt myself slump a little. He didn’t get brightest eyes or cutest rolls or best personality … come on, judges! But when they called his number for being the Prince, I teared up! It is such nice validation to have other people think your baby is as cute as you do!
Part of his winnings (which weren’t much – a free photo session and a small blankie), was to ride a train with the other baby contest winners in the Tomato Days parade on Labor Day. I got to ride along.
It was actually pretty fun riding along and smiling and waving and hearing people think the babies were so cute!
The train wasn’t exactly made for moms.
My feet were so asleep by the end!
Dang, my baby is cute!
The boys got to be in the parade as well.
They were on our Primary’s float dressed up as tomatoes with the saying “Not a rotten one in the bunch.”
Kevin got to be our family’s designated picture taker and picker-upper after the parade.
We spent some time at the park for the festivities. We watched the dog race and cheered on Uncle Tony’s Bandit. (black and white collie in the middle towards the finish line)
The boys got to ride the train and do some bouncy toys. We checked out the petting zoo and fishing pond (with real fish). They even checked out a bunny that was for sale and tried to convince me that we needed to have it.
All of that was too much for his Majesty. He needed a little cat nap in the stroller.
We had a BBQ at home … our last summer party.
Sigh. It was a good, but long day!