Here's a few images from our first advent activity - the Children Giving to Children Parade downtown. It was 82 degrees! It felt like summer, but we were celebrating the Christmas Season. I'm still trying to get used to it (but not complaining, either). I took the kids to pick out a few new toys to donate - basically, there is a fun parade, but at a certain time, it stops. Santa's helpers invite the crowd to come out into the street and donate their toys - and truckloads are filled! The Blue Santa (aka Austin Police) find homes for those toys, where a child will appreciate and love them. So fun for everyone! I loved shopping with my kids, and seeing what they picked out, knowing it was not for themselves, but for another child. When I explained the event to them, I got all teary when I told them how some mommies and daddies aren't able to get presents for their children, but they wish so badly that they could. So Blue Santa and his helpers help those mommies and daddies so their children can be happy and get a present under the tree. Mixed with all my emotion, somehow my own kids were touched - at least it was very evident that this subject is one that is close to my heart, for a variety of reasons. I thank my own mother for instilling the love of giving in my heart.
Anyway, back to the parade. It was Christmas, Austin style!
The bagpipes - reminded me of my Grandma Iris. She always loved the bagpipes :)
Elvis even helped gather some of the toys. Funny thing is, our kids have NO idea who Elvis is, but I wasn't surprised to see him at the parade - Austin is, after all, the Live Music Capitol of the World - and he's the King.
This is just one of the many trucks filled with toys - toys from children, to bless other children. Such a sweet idea.
A Christmas Parade wouldn't be complete without a showing of the Big Man himself - and his Mrs., in this case! I think they both wanted a mini vacay from the North Pole, hot rod and all :)
After the parade, we went in search of food. The littles were tired, so rode in the BOB. Hazel slept through most of the parade in the big girl backpack. We walked over to Whole Foods for some lunch, and had a nice time just walking around our city. The leaves are finally turning a little and starting to fall.
We ate outside, as it was such a gorgeous day. This pigeon kept coming over to try and steal crumbs from under the kids' seats. They kind of freaked out and screamed a little bit. It was both funny and embarrassing. You would've thought they ran into a snake or something :)
And the bebe woke up for lunch. I tried to nurse her, but there was so much going on, she wasn't really interested. The thing she is ALWAYS interested in, though, are her toes. She sucks on them like no other.
Such a cute girl! And such a fun day! Oh, how I love Saturday's with all of my favorite people!
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