How I spent the New Year

The original plan was to go to bed at 9, so I'd get a good 8 hours of sleep before I left the house on New Year's Day at 5:15. This was not to be. Lucy didn't nap that day, then fell asleep on the way back from the park, not to be aroused by anything short of Gabrial's trumpet. This meant a cranky and late bedtime. This then meant she was up from 11:58 to 2:00, screaming like a banshee, the likes of which I have not seen for a year. So up I got at 4:45 after my meager night of sleep, and managed to have a delightful time at....

The Rose Parade!

This was for my Mom's 60th birthday. She totally doesn't seem 60 to me. She's fit and fun and healthy and busy, no different than when she was 50. We had a great time at the parade. We were packed in like sardines, and the 3 furthest seats from the aise, so we were squished up against the bars of the grandstand. Now, let me tell you, I took precautions. I went to the bathroom before we left the house. I went to the bathroom again before we went to our seats. I usually have a bladder of steel. Yep. Had to go. BAD. So I got up during a bit of a break--in fact, just before a float broke down, so no one missed anything anyway. And guys, I totally worked the crowd. I said things like, "Well, you all look like nice people, let's see how nice you really are!" and "Let's make friends now, because I have to come back this way after I'm done!" and "I'll be you were looking for a good excuse to stand up and stretch, weren't you!" You know the phrase that God gives the grace you need? Well, I think he lent a bit of charm to me that day, and on the way back, I had about 25 new friends. =)

The parade was super fun, and something I would totally recommend. Next time we will go to the float display the day after and see them up close.

Aren't we geeky! I love how I have, like 5 chins, and EXACTLY the same square smile as my dad! Oh, and the "roll out of bed and clip my hair with bleary eyes" hairdo.