Kernersville Christmas Parade

Growing up Mom and Dad took us to the Shelby Christmas parade every year.  It was always on a Sunday afternoon and I was always so excited to go!  I remember being a little girl sitting on the cold curb with the sun shining in my face waiting with excited anticipation for the parade to start.  Bradford is old enough this year to truly enjoy the experience of a parade so there was no doubt in my mind that we were going to find one to go to!  We picked the thriving farm town of Kernersville a few minutes down the road!

Not much has changed with the parade atmosphere since I was a young. Parents still hurriedly corral their children down the sidewalk for the perfect seats to watch.  Vendors still go up and down the street selling cotton candy and inflated Rudolphs' and Santa Clauses'.  Kids  are jumping up and down asking their parents about when the parade is going to start.  We took Bradford in the stroller so that he was contained as it can be difficult to contain a 14 month old!  He was a little antsy so Andrew got him out and wrestled and tickled him to distract him from time passing too slowly.  We sat by a few older couples.  I could see one lady point to Brady and get her husband's attention and they smiled and said a few words.  I could tell she was reminiscing about her own son as she later told me she has only one son who is now grown with his own family.  These moments help me remember the little things and to take in every moment I can! Perspective!

Daddy and Bradford before the parade

Mommy and Bradford before the parade

Once the parade started he loved it.  There was so much to see, it seemed anyone who had a pick-up could be in the Kernersville Christmas parade!  There were big kids around us who would run out in the street to grab the candy being thrown out and he loved watching them go for the chase.  Boy was there a lot of candy!

11 pipers piping (for Nana)

Patriotic cement truck

Bel Aire

Corvette

Bradford with his first sucker!

Bradford on his first sugar rush!

I was disappointed that there were no horses...o well.  Bradford loved the dance troupes and cars!  He enjoyed candy to his heart's content.  After the parade when we were back in the car he was bouncing around for about five minutes straight squealing and then all was silent in the backseat.  I would say it was a successful day!