Every October in the little town (about 4000 people) I grew up in, there is the Yamboree. I know you're thinking that I have a spelling issue, but I don't. Down in Gilmer, TX we celebrate yams in October. Growing up I loved this time, we got a few days off from school, we got to march in a parade (I was in band, and also a cheerleader for a few years), food, rides, concerts, and animal competitions.
The biggest deal though, was the pageant. Growing up, I was a little bugged by this. As an adult, I find it a bit disgusting! The clubs in the town pick one high school senior girl and she represents them in a race for the most funds. The girls sell tickets to a pageant and the biggest seller wins. So the girl with the richest parents wins every year. A few years ago, a girls parents cashed in some of their retirement to buy her a crown. How crazy is that!
After this girl wins, she and the other girls running have to buy these outrageous dresses that cost thousands of dollars and they parade around on a stage for all of their families and friends. There are dances that the other high school kids are in and then at the end the queen gets to bow and be crowned. There is a dance in her honor after.
Some of the funds go to the city, but the rest are for the Yamboree fund. They built this huge building to house the pageant. It is so silly, yet a Gilmer tradition. I danced a few years in the pageant and went to some of the dances.
How do you all feel about pageants?
The ones I hear about here in the West, you have to have a little skill for. Good grades, athleticism, poise, and some kind of questions. I think the Yamboree put a bad taste in my mouth for them, then there was that JonBenet thing.
Every year we love to take the kids to this nursery to run wild. They have an amazing pirate ship, and hay maze. We were sad that the hot cocoa was not around.
Does he look like a farm boy?
Maren would not go near this witch.
As I said I love photos from behind.
The two little girls have become accustomed to have strawberry milk in the morning.
We don't have any hair issues.
I love this little shirt and will keep it for my grandkids.
For one of our preschool field trips, we went down to the planetarium. 
We arrived a few minutes early. I love taking pictures of kids from behind.
Doing the weather!
The kids loved riding tracks downtown.
Essie May on the moon.
They also had a great time at the mall having a ride and eating ice cream.
Every October in the little town (about 4000 people) I grew up in, there is the Yamboree. I know you're thinking that I have a spelling issue, but I don't. Down in Gilmer, TX we celebrate yams in October. Growing up I loved this time, we got a few days off from school, we got to march in a parade (I was in band, and also a cheerleader for a few years), food, rides, concerts, and animal competitions.
