It's Derby Week in Kentucky, and this evening Derby floats will glide through Louisville for the Pegasus Parade. But everyone can't make it downtown to watch the big parade.
Our schools have come up with an ingenious idea so children all over the city can experience the excitement of a parade. They decorate derby floats to parade through their classrooms, celebrating the famous Kentucky horse race.
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Derby Float Crafts
I am in Ireland this week, missing all the Derby fun in Louisville. But before I left home a derby float challenge awaited. When a creative school project is sent home, a little bit of thinking is always required to come up with a good concept. But when you are the mother of triplets, one bright idea is never enough.
In pre-school, show and tell offered its unique challenges. Sometimes three items per child, all beginning with the same letter, were requested for that surprise treasure bag. I kept praying the letter "q" would never be sent our way.
Dad is on duty taking care of our little ones this week, but before I left for Ireland he assured me float making was not one of his skills. And so before I packed my bags, shoe boxes, glue sticks, ribbons, fabric, roses and plastic horses were strewn across my kitchen table.
Horses and Derby Hats
Derby hats feature on my little girl's float. Her brothers were adamant no fancy hats could be next, nigh, nor near their floats.
We got patriotic with one float highlighting it with red, white and blue roses, since the Derby is lovingly called the Run for the Roses.
Then I tried to add little roses to the last float, but unfortunately my little one decided these roses were much too small. If his brother had big roses then he too must have some.
So what else could be done, than to stick a few of our big patriotic roses on the last float. Anything to keep everyone happy.
And so, while I am enjoying the beauty of County Sligo today, I hope everyone in Louisville has a wonderful time at the Pegasus Parade.
And I hope my trio remember to bring their floats to school.
Happy Derby Week to all.
Slán agus beannacht,
(Goodbye and blessings)
Mairéad -Irish American Mom
Pronunciation - slawn ah-gus ban-ock-th
Mairéad - rhymes with parade
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Pat F.
I hope your enjoying your visit to Ireland, and your Guinness stew is a winner. Love the "floats" for the children. Yikes, I never thought about having to make three of all the school projects! My brain would be mush!
Pat F.
Sorry, meant shepherds pie!!!
Irish American Mom
Thanks Pat. Three versions of every school project does pose its challenges - imagine having quads or more. No mean feat being creative! The other funny thing is when my trio arrive home from school with their work, three slightly different versions of the same thing. I have to dig deep to come up with enough different phrases of glowing praise, so I still sound surprised and enthralled by each version. We sometimes play spot the difference or who did the same thing. It's so important to create a little excitement.
Thanks for your good wishes - my stew won a silver award. I had great fun in Sligo, and learned so much about food and stews. A trip of a lifetime. I am so blessed.
Take care,
Mairéad
brian@irelandfavorites
What a tough break, why is it that fantastic times have a way of overlapping, forcing a choice. The only thing to do is place a wager at the bookmaker in Sligo, Will you think "it'smyluckyday" 15-1, or maybe you "will take charge" 20-1, or perhaps you'll go with your poor husband and the long shot "frac Daddy" 50-1.
Here's hoping for some luck in your cooking and wagering,
Brian.
Irish American Mom
Brian - I do hope my frac Daddy is taking charge because tomorrow is his lucky day - I'll be home. Love your take on the Derby contenders - too funny. I had a lovely time in Sligo where my stew won a silver award. Back in Dublin today, so who knows, I might just pick a horse at a bookie in Dublin.
All the best, and I hope your horse wins tonight.
Mairéad
Aimee
Oh my, what a challenge! The floats look great! I had no idea there was a parade- I'll have to add that to our bucket list.
Irish American Mom
Aimee - The two weeks leading up to Derby are really exciting around Louisville - lots of fun activities and things to do. Thunder Over Louisville is on my bucket list. I thought about going this year, but we had soccer games and activities all day Saturday. This year it was too cold to head towards downtown to see the fireworks in the evening. Maybe next year!
Enjoy the race tonight.
Mairéad
Lisa
The floats are a great idea! We always watch the Kentucky Derby at our house it's alot of fun.
Irish American Mom
Lisa - My kids will be watching with their Dad tonight. They love to pick their own horses to cheer on. One of my little boys waits to see what color the jockey is wearing. He loves yellow - last year he was still saying "lellow" for yellow. He sounded so funny as he claimed the "lellow horse." Enjoy the race this evening.
All the best,
Mairead
susan
Where did you find the little hats?
Irish American Mom
Hi Susan - I bought those little hats in Hobby Lobby. I'm not sure if they still stock them, since it's three years since I was on kindergarten float making duty. I hope you find them.
Best wishes,
Mairéad
Debbie Marshall Hutchinson
Just to let you know what a small, small world we live in...I live about 20 minutes from Louisville and my husband works in Louisville! I thought you lived in California still! What a surprise!
Irish American Mom
Hi Debbie - Well, what a small world. It's ten years since I moved to Kentucky from Texas. I've only ever visited California, but my husband's job nearly took us there once. I've also lived in New York, New Jersey and Florida, and of course, Ireland. I'm a bit of a nomad. I hope you're surviving the cold spell in Kentuckiana.
All the best,
Mairéad