Santa Claus Came to Town

I know it seems a tad early, but today was the day for the annual Midland Santa Parade, and Santa himself (along with Mrs. Claus and the reindeer) came to town at the very end of the parade.  After a week at home with a very sick Lili (yes, again!!), it was good to get everyone all bundled up and out in the fresh air.  The girls got to try out their long underwear, and I gave my new "ridiculously warm" coat a go.

The kids came home with way more candy than they got on Halloween.  We chuckled as some of the parade participants passed.  "The Weed Man" drove past and threw out all sorts of candy.  Somehow Emma also ended up with a "Weed Man" sticker on her new winter coat.  The Midland Republicans sped by in a red SUV with snowflakes painted on the windows.  They didn't have any candy to share, but a middle aged woman wearing a fur coat did smile at us and wave a leather-gloved hand from behind the closed passenger side window.  Even the Midland Unitarian Universalists made a fancy float that played classical music and declared that they were celebrating "Just Winter."  It was so festive!

Finally we could see that Santa's sleigh with its eight tiny reindeer was approaching.  I did my best to scream, "SANTA!!!" a la Buddy the Elf in an attempt to embarrass Sophia, but she is apparently immune to embarrassment.

Ho HO Ho, Y'all.