Parade

Uncle Daniel came over before the parade to give the kids a private performance in his Jack Sparrow Pirate costume. He parked in the parking lot next door and came over for a dramatic entrance. Elle got scared because she didn't recognize him and slammed the door shut on him and then peeked out the window.

I came down and let Daniel in. Once he took the hair off, Elle knew who he was and was OK with it.

The kids had made a fort in the living room, which to the untrained eye looks very much like a tornado passed through. Uncle Daniel had to leave shortly thereafter to get his makeup done and get lined up for the parade.

People in town set up their chairs and claimed "spots" a full day in advance of the parade...despite signs saying not to do exactly that. Michael was doubtful that we would find anywhere to sit and didn't want me walking too far. He dropped us off at the end of first street (the end of the parade route) where the crowd was thickest. Hunter and Elle were with me. Ethan was participating as a Tiger Scout in the parade.

Amazingly enough there was a little section of bench that was open and perfect for us to sit. I felt very blessed! So big and pregnant and THERE'S A SPOT FOR ME!!!

Uncle Daniel was the first to come by. Hunter was very excited to see him. Daniel looked right at the camera for the picture, but later told me he never saw me in the crowd. It just worked out that way.


Denee came by next doing the Jazzercize routine. She became an instructor and taught classes right up to the end. Durring the length of the pregnancy she didn't put on any weight until the very end when she finally gained 10 pounds. It was amazing to watch her get slimmer everywhere else and her belly just started popping out. The judges on the bandstand commented over the microphone, "Look at all those ladies with those slim waists...except for that ONE." The other guy jumped in with "Leave her alone, she's pregnant!" Then over the loud speaker the first guys says, "Where's the Daddy!?!?" Denee said later that it distracted her to have them talking about her so she felt like she messed up. I didn't notice.
Ethan came through next. He looked sheepish waving to the crowd. By then we were ready to go, so we met up with him and Grandma and called Michael to come pick us up.