December 3rd and 4th

December 3rd - Last night was pretty low key. We tried getting the rest of the decorations organized and put out or up. We watched the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree special. Some favorite parts of that were David Cook and whoever sang White Christmas (I can't even remember). Ava wanted to dance to White Christmas so Ava and I did the "Cinderella Dance" around the parlor and living room. (Tree photograph from photobucket.com)

December 4th - Tonight was one of my favorite nights of the holiday season. Tonight was our Newbern Christmas parade and I look forward to that every year. This year Bradley had to work at the parade for Rotary so it was just Ava and I. After Bradley left, I got a pot of chili going and some water heating up for hot chocolate because tonight was a cold one! While I was cooking, the floats, tractors, firetrucks, and bands started lining up and Ava was ecstatic to see that the firetrucks were right in front of our house. She watched them until it was almost time to bundle up and head out. The parade lines up staring right in front of our house, but the bands and a few other things line up a block down. I usually don't mind missing those things, but Ava was adamant that we see the band. She kept talking about it and asking to see the band. So we went down to scout out a location to sit and got a chance to stand in front of the band and talk to Bradley while the band was lining up. Ava was in heaven!

After we took our places to watch the parade, Pop surprised Ava by walking up and watching some of the parade. After the first band went by and a couple of floats, we headed for our front yard to watch the remainder of the parade and Santa Claus. I just like Ava getting the chance to exchange a few words with Santa, in her yard, where no other kids are. We still had several floats and things to go, but with Ava being the only kid around, we got tons of candy. Once Ava figured out what they were doing she absolutely loved running for the candy. I was putting it in my pocket, but Ava had a little pile that she would carry hers to. Last but not least, Santa came by and wished us a Merry Christmas and told Ava that she had been good this year and he would be back soon. We finished the night up with our chili and hot chocolate and enjoyed some family time together.

I know this pic is blurry, but it is the only one of her picking up candy.