After the parade, I picked up the other kids and took them back to the Island Fairgrounds. Santa must have a cabin on Whidbey Island as well, because we caught up with him in a barn.   He was pretty jolly, and we hope we see him again soon!

It was raining, it was cold, it was gray.  And it was the Langley Christmas parade.  So of course I went!  I was able to talk Wesley and Piper into coming with me, but Kyla and Aubrey stayed behind in the cozy cabin.  They missed out!

I love the exterior (and interior, if I’m to be honest) of the Saratoga Inn. 

 

 

It was a small parade—girl scouts, marital arts, and a pony.

 

Piper grabbed her Santa hat and American flag, but is probably still kicking herself for not having more and deeper pockets.  Again, for all the candy.

 

But Santa showed up, and if I say it was on the back of the ambulance, don’t feel worried about his health.  Those aren’t real raindeer and they needed the help.

 

Next to Santa, and lots and lots of candy, I loved the bagpipes the best.  I actually loved seeing our friends down at the parade best, but the bagpipes were amazing.

 

And to top off the parade, the rain ended and a rainbow appeared. 

 

See, it’s always better on the island. 

 

1) Because it is 4 minutes from my house (Goodwill is 15 minutes, thought I would do my “thriftness” shopping there if locations were switched).

2) Because each year I can stomach less and less supporting the clothing industry.  John Oliver will always say it better (and more profanely) than I ever could:

3) I absolutely love the new American Giant sweatshirt (hailed as the best sweatshirt ever  AND made in the USA).  I bought one for myself and Dwayne is getting one from Santa.  But I also bought 20 sweaters/cardigans for me and the kids at VV’s 40% off Sweaters Sale for less than the price of one AG sweatshirt.  And, so far, we are all staying warm!

I don’t know what Piper knows about 19th century fashions, but out of the blue today, she used a pillow and her night blanket to fashion a nice big posterior today.  Paired with a shawl and apron, she was ready to make omelets for tonight’s dinner.  Again, I’m completely flummoxed by this 150 year throw-back, but oddly charmed (mostly because she is doing the lion’s share of cooking for tonight’s dinner).