This year the annual turnip parade was a bit later than usual in our town. Not sure why the change was made, but it ended up being to my advantage. Otherwise I may have been so swamped getting ready for Madrid that I wouldn’t have been able to enjoy it much.
Noah and Alexandra both had carving for their classes at the same time this year. So I stopped by the preschool, let her pick out a turnip, waved hello to all the other mommies busy carving, and headed up to the Kindergarten. Noah was waiting for me, since most of the other moms had already arrived. But I have experience on my side. I was the last one to arrive, whipped out two lanterns, and was one of the first ones done. I wasn’t racing anyone, but it’s just something I noticed. 🙂 Of course, mine didn’t look as super fancy as some of the other ones, but the kids were very happy and that’s what counts.
We kept the cut turnips outside on the cold balcony until it was time to go back up to school for the actual parade. And we were actually on time! The kids even commented that this was the first time they didn’t have to race out of the car to meet up with their class before the thing started. Yes, having older kids who can get themselves ready does make a HUGE difference. 🙂
Nick didn’t have a lantern, as he is a big sixth grader. He did get to help carve them in Sophie’s class, though. That was kind of special. And this was Sarah’s last year of carving them in class, but I told her that we could still carve them at home and participate in the parade that way. She was very relieved to know it didn’t have to be over for good.
Noah’s top fell off sometime during the parade, but it wasn’t very windy, so his lantern stayed lit anyway. Whew!
I am not sure which is brighter, that lantern or her smile!
Sarah is absolutely terrified of burning herself with the flame, so she let the candle blow out and didn’t let anyone relight it. But afterward, she was very sad that she had let her fear ruin her experience. That is when I told her we could carve another one next year and try again. I would walk with her and keep her safe.
Alexandra and I meant to walk with her preschool group, but we ended up mostly walking by ourselves. We still had fun, though. This is right at the end, so Nick ran down to say hello. He and Chris stayed up at school to wait for us, rather than try and find us on the parade route. We tried that one year with disastrous results, we ended up not seeing ANY of the kids. 🙁
After everyone had reassembled in front of the school house, we sang some more songs accompanied by a youth band from the town below us.
Then it was time for the food! Nick especially looks forward all year to the soup they serve here. It’s not just the flavor, although it is very good. I think it is also the combination of cold air on your skin and hot soup in your body that makes it so memorable.
All the kids also received soft rolls filled with a chocolate bar from their teachers. It’s kind of a Swiss thing that sounds really weird, and tastes absolutely amazing.
And of course there is the warm punsch to wash it all down with! Mmhhhmmm! But you have to wait a minute for it to be cool enough to actually drink. Until then, you just use it to keep your hands warm. 🙂