Parade Magnetism

For the record, I am NOT a Mardi Gras person. I don't care for the whole concept and don't "celebrate" the occasion. I'm a Scrooge, you could say.

However, while on a pleasant walk around the neighborhood, we learned of a parade ready to begin nearby. Parades are just magnets for children and me, so we pushed the stroller in that direction.

The funny thing of this particular parade is that it is organized by just one neighborhood (and our Sun City has over 50 at last count) and the parade route is one street loop that is only a mile long. People living there decorate their golf carts, but there is more: miniature ponies, Georgetown High School marching band, Firemen with bagpipes, police cars, unicyclists and Shriner clowns to name a few of the enthusiastic participants.

Gigi enjoyed this little person just her size.

Lots and lots of beads and candy were tossed to the crowds and Gigi was one of very few children so she ended up with tons! Shoeless Joe wore his beads, too.

Although Baby Abigail slept through most of the parade, Gigi shared some beads with her.

And Kathleen decorated herself and the stroller.

After all the excitement, we walked home all the happier for the unexpected music,

costumes, fun and, of course, beads!

Not sure the history behind the beads, but we had fun when our simple walk turned into an unplanned parade. Just one more of life's unexpected pleasures.