Tadhg and Sadhbh watch Santa's parade

Winter's chilly fingers have wrapped themselves around the weather recently and on Sunday the first snowflakes of the season fell. Everyone was happy to see these first wafts of snow especially on the day of the St Catharines' Santa Claus parade! It looked very Christmassy indeed when Tadhg, Sadhbh, mom and dad staked out their spot on the parade route. Sadhbh was snuggled up in her winter muff but Tadhg, mom and dad had to make do with snuggling together on camp chairs while they waited.

Luckily they didn't have to wait long as the parade started soon after they set-up their seats when the town crier wandered past ringing his bell. Tadhg and Sadhbh stared agog as the marching bands, cheerleaders, inflatable Santas, dressed up dogs, sports mascots, stilt walkers, a locked up Grinch and even reindeer rolled past. A highlight for Tadhg was seeing his dance instructors putting on a show for the crowd.

Many of the floats handed out Christmas candy and it wasn't long before Sadhbh tasted her first lollipop. Sadhbh's mouth closed around it as soon as it went in and didn't open again until all of the sugary goodness was sucked away. Mom and dad reckon she might have a sweet tooth like her brother! 

The real highlight of the parade came at the very end when Santa and Mrs. Claus arrived in a horse drawn carriage. They arrived with little fanfare and were gone so quick Tadhg and Sadhbh hardly noticed them. The cold was starting to seep in at the parade's end so everyone was happy to head back to their warm home for some tea and Christmas cookies.