Because It's Carnival Time...

Well, not really here in The Lone Star State. Sure, the stores carry King Cake; Galveston has its own version of the LA festivities, but I wouldn't quite call it Mardi Gras around these parts. The looks I received wearing a single bead while picking up snacks at the grocery for our toddler Mardi Gras play date were priceless. Come on, people! Just one state over, the store would be flooded with people wearing varying shades of purple, green, and gold.

Because a certain pregnant Momma couldn't drive one state over this year and witness The Sheriff's first real parade going experience, we decided to make our own. Last year we hosted a Mardi Gras play date here at the house with dyed pasta bead making being a main event.

We later held our own one man parade in the backyard.

Combine the fun that this little guy had with the fact that all of the kids in the group are another year older, we decided to head to the park this year for a "parade" of our own!

First up, feeding the ducks...

 And then on to some mask making, apparently very serious business.

You're surprised that this guy's got a helicopter sticker on his aren't you?

I think he wore it best!

Check out a few more members of our krewe!

 The two (and only) ladies stole the show!

Most of us decorated the "floats" beforehand, and the kids were raring to go.

With a hat like that, of course J was the sole choice to lead the parade.

He's quite versatile my friends and soon found himself parade goer begging for beads as well.

We mostly threw beads to (or in some cases at) other kids at the park. Maybe next year we will invite more family or friends and get closer and closer to a legit Mardi Gras Krewe!

He wore that mask on top of his head for two days! I can't wait to get to LA next Mardi Gras!