Christmas Festivities Galore!

This weekend was spent ushering in the holidays! Friday night we went to Light Up Flagler. Our school participates every year. Mrs. Jones, our music teacher, teaches the 3rd and 4th graders lots of holiday songs. They play various instruments and sing to put on a wonderful show. Ethan was THRILLED that he was FINALLY old enough to sing. We go every year to support the kids that are singing and this was finally his time to shine! He has been waiting for this since kindergarten! Unfortunately, he was hidden behind a tall classmate for much of the performance so it was hard for us to see him, but he did a fabulous job. Chris also had a business trip planned. Friday evening had to drive home from St. Augustine and then back out there so he wouldn't miss the big event. After Ethan sang, Chris left to go play bachelor for the night and we walked around to see the rest of the performances at the event. The kids "partied like rock stars" and stayed up until 10:15 on Friday night!

Saturday morning we took the dogs back the Barkley Square Park. I think the kids may have enjoyed it more than the dogs. They didn't want to leave! When we got home, the boys (including Chris) took a nap to recover from their previous night. We packed dinner and headed out to the New Smyrna Beach Christmas Parade. The kids ate and watched the parade with much excitement. After the parade, we left the beach and headed over to the river for the boat light show. The kids were all visibly tired by then as you will see below. We packed hot chocolate in a Thermos and cookies so they munched on that while they watched the boats go by. Although it was a busy day, it was great fun!

Here they are after the parade. Don't they looked thrilled about the boat show? Don't let their faces fool you, they played like wild children at the playground and enthusiastically watched the boats go by.
These are chickens walking around right where we parked our car for the parade. Interesting to see walking around next to the beach.

Here comes Santa Claus and happily for Chris the end of the parade!

Ethan took a picture of us watching the parade.

The kids really liked this snow blowing float from the miniature golf place!

Chris' second favorite float. He loves his T.G. Lee chocolate milk.

Sand snowmen!

In the parade every year...

The boys watching the parade.

Look, my snuggle bunny!

Today was just as crazy. Melissa and I went to Universal Studios for a couple hours this morning. We rode all of our favorite rides. I tried spying on the upcoming Harry Potter attraction, but thus far nothing exciting to report. Just a HUGE cement building and some grading going on. After Universal, we headed over to the Orlando outlets. We got a few good deals and some unplanned purchases and then headed home. I was home long enough to get a hug and kiss from each of the boys as they headed off to soccer with Dad. While they were at soccer, I went shopping with two teachers from school to purchase clothes for needy kids at school. PTA had raised some money to buy clothing for those kids and we went out and did the shopping. We got lots of great deals and will certainly make some kids happy on Christmas morning. Who doesn't love new clothes and shoes??? No worries, they will be getting toys through another event. Now I finally get to have a glass of wine and relax for a few minutes before bed.