Grand Meander

 One thing I really dont like is when the weather starts getting really chilly, but at the same time, I love it because it means Christmas is coming!  We found the perfect little tree at the church a few blocks away from us.  I put the lights on and let the kids do the rest.  I learned after the first year with Elijah to use all plastic or wooden ornaments. Loved it.

On the first sat in Dec, Grand Ave businesses pull together and put on the Grand Meander! It is so fun for the kids. Even though Tony was working, I was determined to squeeze every jolly bit I could out of the christmas season, so I tossed the kids in the car, and we hit up the free pancake breakfast with santa at 830.  And yes, it is at the Tavern, I see the irony, but pretty much every restaurant here is some sort of bar and restaurant where, yes, families are welcome. We waited in the cold december air for a solid 30 mins to get in.

 You better believe we asked for seconds.  Hey, we brought the dang toys for tots donation, another round of pancakes!

 After brekkie, we headed across the street to see Santa.  Now, you have to understand, Evie will not sit in santas lap.  She will happily wait in line and listen to me drone on about how santa brings us presents and gives us candy, but as soon as she realizes it is her turn to go, she FREAKS and starts to scramble and it is like trying to get a dog in the bathub.  For some reason though, with this santa, she strolled right up like it was nothing. NOTHING.  She put on the christmas hat, took a few pictures, and even asked him for a candy cane for christmas.  I dont know why or how it happened, but it was adorable.  (for the record, I tried about six different times with six different santas throughout december, and this was the only one that she would even acknowlegde)

 What's that? A smile? Am I dreaming?

 Outside of Santa town, they had free fire truck rides!  Elijah was so pumped

 We got to ride in the old school fire engine with a big bell.

 

And lest I forget, Santa's reindeer!

Depending on how cold it is next year, we are doing this again!