Coryn's 9th Birthday

When Mom and Dad saw Parker Millsap perform in Milwaukee last fall, Coryn made it known she was feeling left out of the fun. We kept tabs on Parker's tour schedule and couldn't believe that he would be headlining at the Sugar Maple Music Festival in Madison on Coryn's 9th birthday!

The week of Coryn's birthday, she and Mallory were finishing up swim lessons at Fox Brook Park. Early in the week Coryn got hit with a nasty cold virus. Fortunately for Coryn, she was feeling better by Friday. Unfortunately for the rest of us, we were just starting with the bug.

As luck would have it, they cancelled the last swim class that was scheduled on her birthday morning. So instead of heading to the beach, Coryn requested breakfast at The Pancake House. Mom was slow to get out of bed that morning (she blames that nasty cold virus) so we didn't arrive at the restaurant until 11am. We were surprised to find a packed restaurant and long wait just to be seated. Coryn said she could wait. Her sisters were incredibly patient. Coryn ordered chocolate chip pancakes and chocolate milk. Our server brought out a fresh fruit plate and extra whipped cream just for The Birthday Girl while we waited and waited and waited for our meal.

Back at home, Jo helped pack up everyone's overnight bag and the camping gear while Mom attempted to nap. We waited for Matt to come home from work before heading out all together to Madison.

Uncle Adam grilled burgers and hot dogs for dinner and we all enjoyed the red velvet cake balls Mallory had made for Coryn's birthday dessert. Best of all, Uncle Adam and Auntie Brittany kept Gloria and Mallory at their place for the night so Mom, Dad, Josephine and The Birthday Girl could enjoy the concert.

We pulled into the park at dusk without a clue of where the campground was. We parked alongside other festival goers in the grass and Matt ran over to the info tent. We were able to park slightly closer, but still couldn't see any camper tents. The four of us filled our arms with the camping gear and turned in our tickets and campsite reservation at the info booth.  The info booth guy pointed in a vague direction over his shoulder and we started walking aimlessly in the dark. Down a gravel path we stumbled upon the campground. As we set up the tent we could hear Parker playing his opening song, Hand's Up, one of Coryn's favorites.

After tossing the sleeping bags inside our tent, we hustled back down the gravel path to the main stage tent. Matt led us down the left side of the tent to get us closer to the stage. Coryn couldn't believe how loud the music was.

As the opening notes of each song rang out, Jo or Coryn would name the song and both girls would start singing along. There were only a handful of songs we didn't recognize. Coryn got a kick out of watching the couples spin around on the dance floor. Later in the set, the crowd diminished and we inched a little closer. Mom and Dad joined in singing along when Parker played their favorite songs, Disappear and Heaven Sent. Parker and his band finished playing around 10:30pm but came back on stage for an encore.

When the show ended, Mom said goodnight and drove back to Uncle Adam and Auntie Brittany's home. Matt and the girls hung around the merchandise table deciding what to buy and hoping to meet Parker. Coryn used birthday money to buy Parker's Palisade album from 2012. Then they walked back to the campground and fell asleep to the sounds of other campers singing and playing guitar around a campfire.

Now we're on the lookout for guitar lessons this Fall....