BYU Homecoming 2008

We started the day standing in line at 8:45 am in the light snow flurry and freezing weather for blue pancakes before the parade. Being the experienced mother that I am (you only need a few months experience with a toddler to figure this one out) I picked the pancake station by the Botany Pond at BYU. We were lucky yesterday to be the witness of 30+ ducks in the pond. They were probably enjoying the water, which was almost certainly warmer than the air, since it had been warm for a few days before the nasty cold hit. I wish I had gotten a picture for the blog. It was crazy - there were so many of them. But at least you can see what the duck bond is in this picture, if you've never been there before.

We got blue pancakes - I had classic butter and syrup on mine. Vince got whipped cream and chocolate chips. I topped his first, then set his plate on the table while I topped mine. He knew where the good stuff was at and reached his chubby little hand up to grab a chocolate chip. The only problem was that it was so cold, so he was bundled in his big parka, and he wanted his snuggles (his fuzzy blankets - yes... both of them) wrapped around his neck like a scarf. So the distance around the blanket and coat was greater than the length of his little arm. Try as he might, there was no getting the chocolate chip into his mouth. 

It was hilarious. Of course, being the merciful mother that I am, I helped him out, and he got to savor the delicius chocolate bit. Then we enjoyed our pancakes in the freezing cold by the duck pond. I was surprised Vince actually ate the pancakes and not just the chocolate chips.

After the pancake breakfast I let Vince chase the ducks until the parade started. The parade was a lot of fun. Vincente was mostly into it because I told him people would throw candy to him. "Canny? Canny?" He asked every time a float went by. He also got a balloon from the BYU Folk Dance people "Ba-oon! Boon!" After a while, though, the early morning and excitement from the parade (not to mention being bundled up really well) got the better of him, and he was passed out til lunch.

We ate lunch with my best friend Jessica and her friend Sam, and his family. Then we spent the time between lunch and the game at Sam's relative's house. I tried to get Vincente to nap, but his little 30 minute power nap after the parade gave him too much energy. 

The game was great, until the third quarter when Vincente decided he was ready to give the nap thing a second try - except for the fact that the stadium was too loud. He very loudly requested that we go home. So we did, and about an hour later he was passed out on the couch, and I waited for Jess and Sam and some of their other friends to come over and keep me company before bedtime. Then Jessica and her sister Lindsey spent the night. 

All in all, it was a great day. Full of good friends, good food, and good times. It's the first time I've ever really participated in the whole of homecoming, and I have to admit it was really fun. It's something I may like to do in the future when I have more kids, and we're living far away - make a trip up to Utah to visit BYU during homecoming, and take in all the good times. 

I love the memories made, and I sure wish Russ had been here with us - that would have made the fun all that much better.