Magic For Saint Patrick's Day

My husband and I have recently agreed to putting more effort into making holidays magical for our family. Unfortunately for us, the first holiday after our agreement wasn't an easy one. I mean, how do you create magic on a day that you see no real point in celebrating? Nonetheless, we did our best to make this St.Patrick's Day a day of magic for the girls.
Our day started last night when we picked out our green outfits. The girls were excited just to wear something special for the special day. We met up with some friends and went to a parade in Erin, TN. I can not believe how many people were at this thing!!!! The weather stayed beautiful until just after the parade, when it started to rain. While Lexi, Nater, and I watched the parade; Emi and Philip drove in it with the miata club. After the parade we ate our packed lunches picnic style and headed home. We took a ferry across the Cumberland River both ways- which was new to all of us. Once we got home we crashed- or would have if the kids would have let us. We did all rest for a while at least because we knew it would be a late night for the kids (got home at 9- 3 hours past the typical bed time). I made cookies and we went to an auction dinner at church. We were outbid on some of the items we were interested in, but we did walk away with 2 hours of babysitting (perfect, since we need a babysitter this coming up Friday). The girls didn't take long to fall asleep and I think they really did feel a bit of magic today.

Best part of the ferry ride was getting to be out of their seat belts to enjoy the experience.

Wouldn't it be great if we could ride like this all the time!

The ferry and the river.

After we crossed, waiting for our friends.

Jumping with excitement- she stood by herself near the road because some people chose to stand in front of us the whole time and she wouldn't have been able to see.

She dutifully waved at nearly every participant that went by.

Nater's first sucker.

Alexis made a friend. I am not sure what this girl kept saying to her, but she did chat her ear off.

He loved joining in the clapping, even though he had no idea what he was clapping for.

Nater ate lunch so well, and surprisingly stayed fairly clean.