My husband and I have enjoyed the lighted parade along Washington Street in Marion for many years now. Sometimes it’s cold, sometimes you can just wear a light jacket, but it definitely puts me in the holiday spirit to watch all the parade floats and walking crews go by. This year we’ll be bringing our whole crew for the first time, as our baby boy was much too young to be out last year. And while I’m looking forward to this Saturday’s festivities, I have to tell you I’m a little nervous too. We did take both the girls last year, and at 3 and 5 years old, we had our hands FULL.

 

We dropped little man off at Granny’s house and headed into town for an evening of lights, candy, and fun. Our oldest had been to the parade before and was excited, telling her little sister to wave at the floats and to stay awake because Santa didn’t come to the parade until the very end. Our youngest girl had missed the parade in the years past, but seemingly full of holiday spirit every single day of the year, she was just as excited as her big sis.

We found a parking spot and made our way towards the parade route. Somehow both girls ended up with those flashing glow sticks. And finally, here came the floats. My oldest squealed and began bouncing in place. She was ready for candy, for lights, or elves and reindeer and Santa. Her little sister shrieked and clawed her way up my leg like a cat at a dog show. I’m not kidding, one second she was holding her big sister’s hand and waving around a glow stick, the next she was inside my coat with just the bottoms of her legs hanging out. We had finally discovered something she was afraid of…not heights, not loud noises, not bodily injury at the playground…parade floats.

You might ask why we’re returning this year. No, I don’t want to torment my daughter, but she’s grown so much in the past year, I think it’s just possible that she might have a more positive reaction to the parade. And since her baby brother has started toddling about, she’s taken her role as big sister very seriously, so pride, if nothing else, might keep her feet firmly planted on the ground this year. Plus, Afena Federal Credit Union is in the parade again this year, and that usually means that Lucky Buck, their Kid’s Club mascot, will make an appearance. My little girl loves that giant dollar bill something fierce. And just in case she’s still not a fan of the floats, I’m wearing an extra large coat on Saturday, because I’ll always have room for my little girl. I’m Claire, the Afena blog mom. Thanks for reading.