Bloomsburg Parade of Lights

On Black Friday, after an Stan got off work and after an awesome day shopping, we took Annalise to the Parade of Lights.  This was the first year the town held this parade.  People were to make and enter floats in the parade and the winner received $1000!  At the end of the parade, they had a horse drawn buggy with Santa Clause in it.  Anna loves Santa.  Actually love in an understatement.  She has no idea about the presents part of it because we haven't really mentioned that part to her but she does has a real fascination with him, it is so cute!  She cried at the end of the parade because she said that she "needed" to talk to Santa now.  It was not a fussing cry but a really sad cry like she was so disappointed, which made me really sad.  We are going to have to take her to see him soon although I still question if she is actually going to sit in his lap or not!

 Waiting for the big guy!

 A lit up golf cart

 This one was neat because it had a live band on it

 Another neat one....a boat

And the big man himself, even if you can't see him because my camera is so awesome!

Catawissa Halloween Parade

This past Saturday, my mom and I took Anna to the parade in Catawissa.  I had not been there in more than 10 years but from what I could remember I knew it was going to be crowded....and it sure was!  It really is a nice parade though.  Annalise loved the parade and was very focused on picking up the candy and putting it in her pumpkin.  And again, I was prepared for her to finally ask for a piece of it and I was going to let her have one.....but........she never asked!  She got another little bag of animal crackers just like the other parade and that was all she cared about eating!  Too funny!  I really think it is because she is not really interested in trying new foods unless I coax her or tell her it is really good.  Since I have done neither with the candy I think that she just doesn't want to venture on what it might taste like.  Like I have said before, I will continue to take it while I can!  These are the only three pictures that I took because it was dark and there were a lot of spooky masks around (which ranks right up there with my feelings about birds) so I was focused on other things than picture taking. 

 Anna and I waiting for the parade to start

 I have no idea what is going on here.

Homecoming Parade

Last weekend after Anna's gym class we went to the Homecoming Parade in Bloomsburg.  Because of the timing of her class, we were not sure if we would make it or not, but we did with only a few minutes to spare!  We only have ever taken Annalise to one other parade about a year ago, so this was a whole new experience for her.  She loved it of course once she got over the "shock" of people throwing candy =).  I really wish I would've gotten a picture of the look on her face when the first people threw candy her way.  She was clearly startled and didn't understand at first why people were throwing things (yay for knowing this is something you normally shouldn't do).  Anna got the hang of picking up the candy and putting it in her little pumpkin and interestingly enough, she didn't even ask for one piece of it.  I have never discouraged her from candy, I have just purposefully never mentioned it to her and she doesn't see us eat it.  I guess that is why she wasn't really interested in eating it, she just wanted to pick it up and put it in her pumpkin.  I was ready and braced for her to ask for some and was going to let her because I don't want to turn it into a "forbidden fruit" but it never happened, which made my day.  The biggest hit for her was the strand of dice beads she got since it was a Las Vegas theme and a little bag of animal crackers.  Anyway, enough yapping and here are some pictures.

 Waiting for the parade to start with Daddy.

 A little snack while she waits.

 This was the first time Annalise used her camp chair outside and she thought she was really something else sitting in it =).

 Her little pumpkin that will be used for many Halloweens to come!

 As always since she was a tiny baby, even though she is shy, she still loves to know what EVERYONE is doing!

 Now something has her attention....

 ....it's the start of the parade.  Annalise had a lot of head boppin' going on!

 Getting braver to venture out to get the candy with Daddy.

The one (and probably only) advantage of having a shy toddler is that she doesn't even attempt to venture away from us once we tell to not to.

 Anna did a great job of just picking up the candy.....

 ....putting it in her pumpkin......

...and sitting back in her chair to happily wait for more!!

Welcome, Santa Claus!

Last weekend Anna and I went along with the Smiths to the Santa Claus parade in Bloomsburg. Below are the only two pictures I took because shortly after I took them I got Annalise out of the stroller to stand in the street to watch. That was the end of the picture taking because my efforts were then geared toward making sure she didn't try to walk/crawl off! She liked the parade though and bopped to the music and even waved to Santa!

Anna looking like she is thinking something is very suspicious before the start of the parade.

Aidan and Anna chillin' before the start of the parade