The weather was pretty much perfect this year - a little sun, just cold enough. Allyson and I took the rest of the kids (successfully fitting three kids' seats in the back of our Escape). We met up with Karen, Cordelia and William and headed to our spot across from the hospital. Free parking at the church, and lots of grass for the kids to roll around on waiting for the parade to start. And, a Tim Horton's across the street at the hospital. Perfect location.
I nominated myself for the Tim's run. The lineup was daunting, but I made it back out of the hospital just as the parade was getting to our spot. With the kids cheering me on, I hoofed it with a tray of hot drinks and made it across the street without spilling a drop.
The kids drank hot chocolate and juice, ate timbits and collected a fistful of candy canes as they watched planes, dogs, horses, singers, bands, grinches, and more go by.
George and Faith were at the beginning of the parade, collecting the buckets of coin donations for the toy drive. They ended up with a truck full of toys, although financial donations were down 40% this year. Not sure why yet. So, they'll have some work to do to make up for the shortfall.
And the kids got to wave at Santa as he finished off the parade. (Again, with me hoofing it across the street so we wouldn't miss the big guy after I took Blake to the bathroom.)
A good way to spend a Saturday morning.
