Brentwood Days 2008

There are some definite advantages to living in a small community like Brentwood. One of the biggest is our annual Brentwood Days. We first have an old-fashioned parade with decorated cars, the high school band, the fire trucks, the brownie troop...you get the picture. They throw candy galore and Mardi Gras beads. It's a really fun time for the kids. The parade route runs 3 blocks from our house so we can walk. It was Nicholas' third Brentwood Days and Charlotte's first. Charlotte (the waving fool) had a blast. No one could enjoy standing and waving for 20 minutes more than she. I didn't get a photo to capture her glee...but it was apparent!

Is it coming? Is it coming?

Charlotte LOVES balloons and assumed these were all for her. She was sadly (and quite loudly) disappointed.

I do believe this was a new entry this year. Nicholas loves trolleys.

The orange tractor was a big crowd pleaser

The Brentwood Eagles!

This is only a small fraction of the beads that we collected
Emergency vehicles are always a hit with Nicholas

After the parade and naps, we headed over to the baseball fields, which had been transformed into a huge carnival. There were food booths, craft booths, a huge stage where "Buddy Holly" and "Elvis" performed, and tons of carnival rides. The amazing thing is that the rides are all free. The tab is totally covered by the city. (Yes, I know it's my tax dollars...but I love it!) We had an awesome afternoon. It's nice to be able to walk around and see friends and enjoy being outside.

Nicholas went once on the giant slide with Tom, once with me, and once with our whole family! (How did Tom convince me to take Charlotte on this??)

The most tame of the rides.

This was on the train ride (pulled by a tractor around one of the baseball fields)

Please note that Nicholas was the only one facing BACKWARDS. It was the only one left, and he didn't seem to mind!

Nicholas' first ever ferris wheel ride

The last ride of the day with a friend from the neighborhood, Mary Lewis.

After dinner and a fabulous funnel cake (a once a year Brentwood Days indulgence) we headed home. But no, no. That wasn't the end! Nicholas and Tom headed out for fireworks at 8:30. Last year we had to watch from the car, since he's not a fan of the loud "booms". But I was told that this year "It wasn't that bad, Mama!" and they watched outside. It was a late, late night for our little man!

Such a fun day. If we leave St Louis, this will certainly be something that we will miss!