crashing the Christmas parade

We've only made a few friends here so far, but we seem to have met the right people. The kind that can get you the prime spot in the town Christmas parade. I'm not talking about a good spot on the route, in the shade with a nice view of the parade. In it. Oh, were we ever in it.

Through a family connection to the fire chief, my friend invited us to ride on the firetruck in the parade. Jared & I were elated just imagining how much the little girl and boy would enjoy being on the firetruck, and then instantly heartbroken when we realized we'd still be out of town for Thanksgiving. Welp, after two days and one night of struggling to get our one-year-olds to stay in their pack n plays at Great-grandma's house, we called it quits and went home early.

Side note: you would have thought my world was over. Overreaction, maybe, but hear me out. For the twins' entire lives, one saving grace has been that they've been pretty consistent with their sleep. More important than taking long naps has been taking them at the same time as each other. So, the idea that they had some autonomy over when they are in their cribs felt like a huge loss of control for me, and I had no idea what I was going to do. Luckily, back at home they went back to staying in their cribs when we put them down. I hope it stays this way long enough for me to figure out what to do next. (I'd love ideas if you have them! I really don't think these two are going to be the kind of kids you hear about, who surprise their parents with how well they stay in their toddler beds. I need a good strategy here.)

Bright side: firetruck! Long story short (too late), we were not only on the firetruck, we were on the last firetruck, the beautifully restored 1930s-ish one, driven by the fire chief, siren blaring, right next to Santa! The only Santa in the parade. The very last float in the parade. Wrapping up the entire parade. Making people smile, making dreams come true. I think you're picking up what I'm putting down. We were on the big deal truck. My friend must have known this when she pushed me (holding Isaac) forward to stand in the front right corner of the truck. I was so close to Santa-- and so much taller-- that I had to crouch down just so anyone on my side of the street could see him, including newspaper photographers with really big lenses and one TV crew (of probably some local SP channel). Big deal, I tell you. Pretty embarrassing, but totally fun.

Before the parade, we got to hang out at the station and with the Fire Dept mascot, Sparky. Check out the love between my girl and that dog. 

 

Bethany's even got her daddy considering getting her a dog, and we've never been wild about having pets. She loves them (and he loves her) that much.

For the record, no one taught these kids the classic parade wave. They're just naturals.

The embarrassing/fun part:

"Look Mommy, I can almost see Santa behind Where's Waldo's girlfriend!" 

It was a hot day, and a long time for those kids to be out, so by the time we got back to the fire station to actually sit on Santa's lap, the kids were just not having it. I guess they have their own traditions to keep. 

Maybe we need to just start calling him Grandpa.