We met at Nana’s house to load everyone into the vans. It was so exciting, anticipating Charlotte’s reactions to the big parade and Santa Claus; although, Mommy is fairly certain that Charlotte really doesn’t understand what all the fuss is about. When we arrived at our usual parking lot, we were surprised to see that the lot was full—-how could this be? So, off we went looking for a parking spot on a side street. We didn’t have to travel far before we found 2 spots close together. The street sign said that there was a one hour parking limit—-Daddy was prepared to walk back every hour just to move the vehicles so that if a parking officer marked our wheels, we would not be in violation of the sign; however, we checked with one of the police officers patrolling one of the closed streets and he said that cars would not likely get ticketed today. So, off we went to find our spot along the parade route.
Much to our surprise, all our usual spots were completely taken—-I guess we got downtown a little later than we have other years. Auntie Dale found the perfect spot and we all settled in. Eventually, Mommy let Charlotte out of her stroller to stretch her legs for a bit before the parade started. Stretch her legs… Charlotte could hardly move. Mommy had tried on all the parts of Charlotte’s winter wear individually, but had never had Charlotte wear all the pieces at one time—-snowsuit, boots, hat, mitts. When Charlotte was set on the ground, she just stood there, afraid to take a step. Mommy held Charlotte’s hands to walk until she became comfortable waddling, with all her padding. Mommy was afraid that Charlotte would get cold and fuss to the point of having to leave—-Mommy’s biggest worry: how do you get across the street when the parade is going through town? Fortunately, this situation never happened. I think Charlotte was toasty warm, perhaps a little too warm, as she would not keep her mitts on her hands. I think Charlotte may have been regulating her own temperature with her hands. I do the same thing, but with my feet.
Everyone eagerly anticipating the start of the parade.
Charlotte wearing her own mitts and drinking her bottle--looking quite comfy.
Charlotte with Auntie Dale
Charlotte wearing one of Mommy's pairs of mitts--Charlotte wouldn't keep these on either.
Charlotte wearing the mitts that Mommy was wearing--Charlotte kept these mitts on the longest.
Charlotte being CharlotteNot long before the parade started, Charlotte fell asleep. She finally awoke when my dearest friend, Pam, who was walking in the parade as a greeter clown, along with her daughter Samantha (pink princess) and her husband Roland (peach cat), came right over to her, reaching across 2 rows of people in front of us.
Charlotte enjoyed the parade, pointing and chattering to her cousin Kaitlyn, sitting beside her. A little later in the parade, another dear friend, Wendy, who was in the parade dressed as a raccoon came over to see Charlotte; we saw Marcel and Karen, but didn’t see David. People in front of us began to wonder if we were celebrities, knowing so many people in the parade, until Santa came by and spoke to the fellow in front of us from way up in his sleigh. Santa’s sleigh stopped right in front of us. Charlotte really didn’t have any reaction to Santa. I guess we’ll see if that changes when she goes to visit Santa and sits on his knee for photos.
The parade over, it was time to pack up and head back to Nana’s for a nice hot cup of hot chocolate while dinner is prepared. It had been a lovely day—-the sun was actually warm as long as there was no breeze. By the end of the parade, the sun was getting lower and the breeze was picking up, so it was getting colder. When we arrived at our vehicles, we were surprised to receive a parking ticket—-ugh!
After supper, we celebrated Papa’s 72nd birthday with cake and ice cream. What a nice finish to a wonderful family day.
Before leaving Nana’s, Mommy changed Charlotte into her sleepers so that she could be put right into her bed without waking her. As Mommy expected, Charlotte fell asleep moments after we pulled out of Nana’s driveway. Mommy carried Charlotte into the house and all the way upstairs and into Charlotte’s room before she opened her eyes. Charlotte snuggled into her favourite blanket, smiled at us, and waved good night as she drank her bottle. What a beautiful angel we have the pleasure to raise as our daughter. Mommy really hopes that Charlotte knows just how much Mommy really loves her. A day doesn’t go by that Mommy doesn’t think of Charlotte’s “tummy mommy.”
That's quite a line-up of little spectators, and quite a range of faces on Charlotte. Looks like a good, cold time over all.
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