Oh to be lucky like the obviously Irish.

Since the weather was supposed to be pretty nice for the St. Patrick's Day parade, Lydia and I decided to meet Rusty at his office and watch. Topeka really represented, I must say. There were hundreds, if not at least a couple thousand people out.
When Cade asked later that day if we had gone to the parade I said yes and then I asked if one of his classmates was absent. He did notice that she was gone, so I told him that her family (who is Irish) had a float in the parade and that she, her mom and sisters were all on the float as well. I could see the look of 'aw, man! That's so not fair!' look in his eyes and wasn't a bit surprised when he asked, "But, Mom? Don't I have Irish in me, too?" Sensing (and hoping) that he was kidding (and not really upset about not being pulled out of school to be on a float), I said, "Yeah, kid. But no one would believe you."

No one pinched this little quasi-Irish cutie.

This was our view from Rusty's office. It was great, except that we didn't get any candy or beads.

Just a corner of the Topekans out to celebrate. Kinda sappy, but I really enjoyed seeing all the green (or others interpretation of green) out in full force.

All the entrants lined up six wide and who knows how deep.

Now this is a good idea.
You don't need a flatbed for a float. Just pull your drunk Irish arses
behind a truck in your pontoon. Brilliant.

This one is for my sister, T.
PINK PIG!!

This was a clever float. It's for CD Tradepost. Bowser and Luigi from Super Mario Brothers walking along the pirate ship.
Loved it.

Heeeeeyyy!!!!! It's the Jayhawk and the Topeka Jayhawk Club Pep band.
What more could a parade need?

How 'bout an enormous RV full of Jayhawk fans?
That's not a parade! Now it's a PARTY!!!

See those itty-bitties bringing up the rear?
That was me twenty, *ahem*, I mean, thirty *sob* years ago.
You think I'm kidding, but I'm not.

This gal is something else.


She's living the dream, folks, living the dream.

Green one!

You know what this is and I know what this is.
Try explaining to a three year old what it is.
Betcha can't do it without them wanting to know where the balloon is
and whether or not it will catch on fire.

Could somebody explain to me what this animal is?
It looks like a bear. With a rhino horn coming out of its nose.
And I'm pretty sure it has nothing to do with whatever is being advertised in the van.
BTW, don't you just love how all laws regarding moving vehicles are completely tossed out the window during a parade?

This band was pretty good.
Until the van made a sudden stop and the lead singer ate the microphone.
True story.

Here's the float that Cade's classmate and family was on.
Lucky.

Go Knights!
The band from Cade's school was there.
I told Cade that was the only way he'd get to be in the parade.
That or a costumed participant.

That poor pony.

Ick.
That's a real boa (probably. you gonna call me out on it?) walking down Kansas Avenue.

I have to say I've never been more relieved and happy to see a fanny pack.
I hear they're back in style, too.