Cow Parade

This past weekend we trekked up to Brattleboro, Vermont for the Strolling of the Heifers. The parade starts at 10am sharp and we were warned to get there very early to find parking and a good viewing spot. Taking this warning very seriously, we found ourselves in downtown Brattleboro at 8:45am. (This is the part where you are impressed.) Some days I can't even get to the kids' daycare by 8:45am, but last Saturday we were all up, dressed, and loaded into the car by about 7:40am. Of course, three of us had not eaten breakfast yet.

Tai was thrilled to eat breakfast in the car for the first time ever. In fact, Friday night he had much difficulty falling asleep and one of the several times he emerged from his room he told me, "I'm so excited for the Strolling of the Heifers....and to eat breakfast in the car!"

We met up with two of Tai's friends from school and all enjoyed a fantastic parade together. The highlight, of course, was the many cows. But also of note were the baby cows (which Quynh took one look at and signed "dog!"), baby goats, a horse dressed up as a cow, marching bands, and tractors. It was the perfect parade for our animal-and-music-and-farm-equipment-loving boy.

Quynh also enjoyed herself, though it was very difficult to keep her from joining the parade. She desperately wanted to follow the cows down the street and couldn't understand how a fun event like a parade could possibly require so much sitting still.

Vermont is a fun little state and I think we saw some excellent examples of its quirkiness. For instance, there were the organic farm folks carrying signs in the shapes of giant vegetables emblazoned with messages about organic food, healthy eating, sustainable living, etc. And, logically, the huge purple eggplant sign that said, "end racism."

Then there was the Asian Cultural Society comprised of several white men and three mail order brides. 'Nuff said.

The group that tugged at my heartstrings was the middle school marching band. I don't know much about music but even I could tell that they were pretty bad. In an adorable way. And they were all out of step, including the drum line. I didn't even know it was possible to play the drums and be out of step.

After the parade we had an early lunch at a nearly empty restaurant where we let three toddlers and Quynh run wild on the deck. The young waitress looked a little bewildered at the chaos, but handled it fairly well. When a childless couple showed up, we tried (feebly) to reign our children in, but it was no use. That couple lasted about 2.5 minutes before decided they'd prefer to dine inside.

If only Tai had napped on the way home (or after arriving home) the day would have been a roaring success. But we did all have a fantastic time and it was worth the long drive early on a Saturday morning. We'll totally go back next year (we just may need to find a different restaurant).