With the Santa Clause parades getting under way this past few weekends, we thought we should get into the action Sunday night and join in for the fun of our local community Parade.  There have been parades for the past couple of years, and I can remember when it was on a Sunday afternoon and there were maybe 10 floats.  Well, things have changed.

They moved it to evenings three years ago and changed the location to cover a larger part of the community.  It shuts down the main thoroughfare for a few hours, but that is what parades are for.  This year, they moved it to Sunday evening at 5:30pm.  As much as I was bummed that it was Sunday evening, we still bundled up the kids and went for it.  Had it been Saturday, well I wouldn’t have been able to go and it would have been warm and raining.  It was freezing, but at least we went.

Poor wee little Apple got a little flustered because rather large adults (with no kids I might ad) were blocking the view for her.  J was blocked out too, but Hubby was able to put him up on his shoulders until enough people moved out of the way so that kids could see (not that I encouraged this or anything).  The floats were fantastic, including one for a new coffee shop that will be opening, Two Monkeys.  I can’t wait for the opening for two reasons, one, I know the owner, and two it is a family friendly coffee shop.  Yes, you got it, there will be awesome coffee (I know he went to school in Montreal to learn all about it, so I can’t wait) and wireless, but there will also be…  a play area for kids!!!  Yes, you heard me, a whole area at the back of the shop with toys, and fun stuff for the kids to do while having a good old cup of joe.  I promised him I would stop in at the opening, so I am excited.  I may even live blog from there, just because I will be able to.  No website yet, but I will be sure to post all about it when it happens.

Sorry, a little sidetracked there.  The big guy.  Yes, Santa.  We are making our lists here, both for Santa and for what Santa will be bringing.  I have already made a few of the Christmas gifts that will be going out this year, but I am waiting on an order to arrive for the rest of them to get started.  I feel very excited to be making gifts again.  I hope to involve J in a little bit of it so he can experience and enjoy giving gifts that he had a hand in making and putting together.  I want to share the list, but fear one of my Sisters will see and the surprise will be ruined.  I may have to wait until after Christmas to share.

After my last post, I certainly did not mean to wait a whole week before posting again.  Apple got a terrible cold, which she in turn gave to me, so my week seemed to slip away from me.  I was also busy preparing for a Girls weekend. A group of my friends get together for a weekend each Fall.  I have attended some of the dinners, but have never made it to two whole nights.  I didn’t get to sleepover yet again, but possibly next year if all goes well.  Even though I had to curtail my drinking, it certainly did not stop me from enjoying myself and feeling rejuvinated.

Friday we all stayed in, hung out, chatted without kids, and did a fun gift exchange.  The photo above is from Friday night.  I did get to wear heels, but I also wore my jeans. I don’t have a photo of myself from Saturday night, which is a pity because I was wearing a really nice black dress.  One that I haven’t worn in just over two years!!!  And my heels and stockings, and no kids were kicking me during dinner and I didn’t have to pull out toys and crayons and, and, and.

We went to a wonderful restaurant on the market called Stella Osteria.  This was my first visit to Stella, but hopefully not my last.  I certainly felt like it was something we used to do a lot before kids, but don’t get a chance to anymore.  Hubby and I just couldn’t afford to eat like that all the time.  Our turn will come again in due time that’s for sure.  I had a delicious salad (pictured below) with mozarella, goat cheese and tomatoes.  It was so good, just looking at this photo makes my mouth water all over again.

 For the main course I ordered this pasta de Mer.  Oh the seafood was divine.  There was roasted garlic, shrimp, clams, scallops, lobster tail, and a crab claw.  The photo doesn’t look like a huge portion but if you saw the size of the plate you would change your mind.  It was just so yummy.  I forgot to take a photo of dessert, but it was chocolate and so yummy.  Only one other of my friends had dessert and although I didn’t ‘need’ it, I did not want her to eat alone.  Such a good friend am I.

 It truly was so great to get out with friends and not have the kids for just a wee bit of time.  Hubby was great in that he took care of them and thus also got Apple’s cold.  My cold is still here and still rotten, I have not had a voice since Friday, but hope that tomorrow might see or hear me a little better.  And on Friday Hubby and I get to go out together for a fancy dinner and a night out. Yay for us!  Sorry to be away so long, but I have lots to share this week, so hopefully I will get the time to post.