We were our own miniature parade and side show. Susan, Laura, Katie, Tod & I went to dinner together last night.

Susan is a lanky redhead; Katie & Laura are her blonde daughters. Laura, in her stroller, was the float in our parade. As we waited for the light to change at an intersection, she chatted animatedly with me and her mother. Passersby smiled at her. One man gawked outright.

Tod and Katie stopped to read a sign advertising tuna for sale. Katie, who is in the first grade, helped Tod with some of the kanji. The gawking bystander laughed when she read the sign aloud to Tod.

We certainly do stand out from a crowd, even without red rubber noses and extra big shoes.