Kindergarten Parade

What's cuter than 11 classes of kindergarteners marching around in a parade?  Maybe a bunch of puppies doing the same?  

In April, J participated in his kindergarten parade, which was themed "A Year in the Life of Kindergarten."  

Here you see the Grand Marshal.  The Grand Marshal is always driven around in a fancy car, you know?  

1st grade or bust!

St. Nick represented December,

while March had a class full of leprechauns and lucky clovers.  

J's class represented April, which is the month in which a huge festival takes place in our town.  

(My apologies for the lack of puppies in this post.)  

Christmas Activities, Part 2

As usual, we went to the Christmas parade in our hometown.  It was freezing this year, and I was a little bit sick.  Mr. GV kept me warm by snuggling me close.  (My hero.) 

My favorite entry would have to be the guy who made his wrecker into Towmater.  It was just adorable. 

Of course for a child the best part is seeing Santa....and collecting the candy that is thrown out!  J left with quite a stash.  

Family selfie!  

After the parade, it was off to Mom's house to decorate her tree.  Here J is posing with one of the cats (Thing 1 I think) plus Casper the friendly pit bull.  

My Christmas cards that I sent out this year.  I found them at Goodwill early last year.  They each tell a story on the back about the animal you see, who lives at Farm Sanctuary.  

A few days later, it was time to decorate our tree at home.  J came over to help us out and Mr. GV made homemade hot chocolate for us.  Some Sweet and Sarah marshmallows, a dye-free candy cane, and some cinnamon on top, and it was perfect.  

J enjoyed sipping on his mug o' chocolaty goodness and listening to the Kids' Christmas station on Pandora.  

J and Mr. GV hanging this years ornament on the tree.  This year we decided on a bicycle-themed ornament, to represent our vacation which culminated in the Bicycle Museum of America, Mr. GV's dream destination.  lol

One day J helped me make wrapping paper, then we wrapped his Mommy and Nana's gifts from him.  

He was so proud of his gift wrapping.  He pretty much did it by himself, with a little guidance from me and some help with the tape.

J was chief decorator this year.  He decorated the entire mantle himself.  Notice we have 5 stockings this year.  He couldn't understand why he didn't have a stocking here at our house.  I'm glad he feels "at home" here but wanted to make sure he knew Santa only comes to the house he stays at Christmas Eve, so his stocking here would remain empty.  He was cool with that, so I let him pick out an extra stocking I had.  He chose the one that my high school Spanish teacher gave me when I was an aide in her class.  

Almost all of us.  Gabby the cat was not having it, as usual.

My favorite Christmas picture this year.  A dog and his boy.  

HHH, parade, and frisbee

J had been asking for Hungry Hungry Hippos for quite some time.  His mom spotted it at a kids' consignment sale and made J one happy boy that day!  We played that evening, and it's been played with several times since then.  I'm not ashamed to admit I enjoy playing it with him. 



At the end of April, our town always has a huge festival.  It's devoted to the cooking and partaking of a particular animal, so we don't participate in that part.  We do, however, enjoy the parade.  As a teen, I marched in the parade along with the rest of the high school band.  That time of year is flaky around here, weather-wise.  It's usually either broiling hot, pouring down rain, or occasionally freezing cold. 

This year it was a bit chilly to start with, and J needed his jacket and hood.  (I promise, Mr. GV wasn't angry at the time.  I'm pretty sure this picture caught him mid-chew of a snack.  lol) 

The kids around us all had silly string, and I closed my eyes to the fact that it is probably made from the most toxic substance known to mankind, and bought a can for J.  He had the best time with it.

A freebie Frisbee, given out by a parade participant brought on this big smile. 

This was a church float, and Mr. GV pointed out that he wasn't aware that sunglasses and lollipops were part of the dress back in biblical times.  We had a good laugh over that. 

A college band participating in the parade was performing a medley of Michael Jackson songs.  The field commander dressed the part, and by walking backwards was essentially doing the moonwalk. 

J loves Scooby Doo, and his mommy promised him one if he was good throughout the majority of the parade. 

Loved watching what I presume to be a dad and his mini-me.  Just two cowboys, hanging out at the parade. 

Later that day, K left J here at our house and we hung around outside.  Here's Macy, thrilled to have a stick in her mouth and that J was running around trying to get it from her.  She loves to play "keep away." 

Practicing his Frisbee throwing.

Trying to wrench it from her jaws. 

I just love the cuteness in the next two pictures.  I'm a proud Auntie, what can I say?