For my memories today, I’m sharing a photo taken when I was in first grade. At that time, our community had what was known as ‘Fair Day” every fall, probably in October. It was a mini version of the State Fair with all sorts of exhibits, games, food, and other activities.
On this particular Fair Day, the powers to be had decided to have a baby carriage parade with little girls portraying moms.
My mom set about getting my outfit together. She altered one of her WOOL suits to fit me. We borrowed the wicker baby carriage from a neighbor, and I was all set.
There was just one problem, and this is my main memory of that day. It was HOT. And that wool suit just made the unseasonable temperatures that much more uncomfortable.
The doll baby was my Tiny Tears doll, which I still have. Her skin is crinkled in spots, but I’m happy to still have her, along with my Shirley Temple and Chatty Cathy dolls. (I gave away my Barbies when I no longer played with them, and still regret that decision.)
Mom didn’t have my hair cut until I was in second grade, so it was long at this time. Mom probably styled it in a bun that day.
Motor Man tells me that the car in the background is a 1955 Chevy Belair. It wasn’t ours: Mom was still driving a 1949 Ford at the time.
A few years ago, my friend and former classmate, Susan, shared this photo of the event from a local paper. I’m on the far right, and Susan is the second girl to my right. Love that her mom wrote “Susan, 1st grade” in the margin.
Many of my friends don’t remember that baby carriage parade, but Susan and I do. I’ll have to ask if she remembers it being HOT that day.
~These Days Of Mine~
these days of mine 