Last night was the St. Paul Winter Carnival Torchlight Parade...so what better way to experience it than through the eyes of grandchildren. We called to see if Gus and Carl would be available for an adventure. They were, and we were soon off for some fun. They were bundled in snowpants, puffy mittens, hats, scarves (Frank and Chuck are the scarf names...another story) and warm jackets. We stopped at White Castle (per Carl's request) for double cheese burgers and headed for St. Paul.
When we arrived in Downtown, it was apparent that parking was going to be a problem. Poppa dropped us off, we headed toward the parade, and planned to stay in touch with him via cellphone. As we approached the crowds, it was obvious that there was no way these two little guys were going to be able to see over adults six deep at the curb. Gramma did her best to lift them up several times, but we finally found a "thinner" spot and some people that were amiable to the boys standing in front of them.
Gus got a little nervous and wanted to go home when the Princes of the West started shooting guns....Carl was surprisingly brave. Poppa finally caught up with us, and we settled into parade watching. Near the end of the parade, the big "fire blasters" led the way for the Vulcans. Again, Carl did okay...he was following the story of the Vulcans winning over the King of the Winter to let summer come back....but Gus really wasn't very happy about it. He clung to me, and snuggled into my shoulder until they had passed. He felt much better after they had gone. They caught mardi gras beads, candy, and a woman gave them a fiberoptic lite.
We trugged back to the car...both of them swishing like troopers in their snow pants. Fireworks were supposed to happen over the Mississippi, so we positioned our car for the best view. And waited....and waited....and waited...... Nothing ever happened, even the other people waiting left. They were kind of disappointed until Gus suggested that we stop at Wendy's for a Frosty....and we did.
Back home to our house, into p.j's, just in time for Mommy and Daddy (and little Louise) to stop by for them on their way home from a dinner at friends. Sweet night. I LOVE the "Hug/Kiss, Hug/Kiss" requests before they leave.
When we arrived in Downtown, it was apparent that parking was going to be a problem. Poppa dropped us off, we headed toward the parade, and planned to stay in touch with him via cellphone. As we approached the crowds, it was obvious that there was no way these two little guys were going to be able to see over adults six deep at the curb. Gramma did her best to lift them up several times, but we finally found a "thinner" spot and some people that were amiable to the boys standing in front of them.
Gus got a little nervous and wanted to go home when the Princes of the West started shooting guns....Carl was surprisingly brave. Poppa finally caught up with us, and we settled into parade watching. Near the end of the parade, the big "fire blasters" led the way for the Vulcans. Again, Carl did okay...he was following the story of the Vulcans winning over the King of the Winter to let summer come back....but Gus really wasn't very happy about it. He clung to me, and snuggled into my shoulder until they had passed. He felt much better after they had gone. They caught mardi gras beads, candy, and a woman gave them a fiberoptic lite.
We trugged back to the car...both of them swishing like troopers in their snow pants. Fireworks were supposed to happen over the Mississippi, so we positioned our car for the best view. And waited....and waited....and waited...... Nothing ever happened, even the other people waiting left. They were kind of disappointed until Gus suggested that we stop at Wendy's for a Frosty....and we did.
Back home to our house, into p.j's, just in time for Mommy and Daddy (and little Louise) to stop by for them on their way home from a dinner at friends. Sweet night. I LOVE the "Hug/Kiss, Hug/Kiss" requests before they leave.
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