Vulcan Lights with Ms. Lisa

Our family has had many blogs featuring Vulcan, but the more recent ones seem to all have Ms. Lisa.  She has introduced us to many other fun Vulcan events, and the kids always love going with her on new adventures.   I think this year almost didn't happen, but Lisa made a way, and it did!  So thankful for all the fun things she always does with the kids.   So what happened on this trip...Let me find my texts from Lisa...

Apparently there was a Santa at the Vulcan, and you will not find him in the pictures below.   Because he asked Ruby to come over, and she gave him her little smile, but shook her head no.   Lisa was "CRACKED UP" because Ruby told her "that is not the real Santa.   I saw the real one yesterday." [at Bass Pro].   Ruby was not a big fan of this imposter.   

Again from Lisa..."Then, we arrived, as she [Ruby] was looking out at the city she said, 'I like Birmingham, but it does creep me out a littl bit.' lolol.   SAME, Ruby. Same."  

I also love the pictures Lisa captured of little Ruby trying to capture the images with her camera.   And when we all looked at these pictures, we all had to pick on Ms. (Don't know if they are married yet?) Vulcan who seemed to always be staring to the left in the pictures I had.   At least there was no puking this time (Reference 2020).   

Visit with the Real Santa at Bass Pro

This year we got a reservation to see Santa at Bass Pro, as somewhere along the line, Ruby realized he was the real Santa Claus.   And it was obvious in re-watching the 2020 video we had of our encounter with him during the COVID year.   He spoke to each of the kids, and actually knew what Chelsea school they went to, and later that year, got all the kids exactly what they had asked him for.   Even behind a sheet of plastic that year, it was easy to tell, that this is the place to come for the real guy.   

This year Santa was feeling it.   It has been  tough with inflation, and just a crazy busy Christmas season.   So we understood when it was our time to see Santa, I pointed at Ruby, and said he needed a moment.   So we waited while he stretched his knees, got a drink of water, then back down into that wooden seat.   I bet he is so happy to get back to the lazy boy at the North Pole after all these events.   He asked us what time it was, I think hoping that the end of the day would be coming soon.   Then he learned about Ruby's requests and all the other kids wanted surprises.   Ruby was looking to get a laptop, so I had to sneak back to Santa while everyone else was shopping and let him know that we had already gotten that under the tree, but I told him she really was liking the Adorables with her advent calendar this year.   Of course, Ruby didn't see me, and I couldn't tell her till after Christmas morning when she opened her presents.   

After seeing Santa, I am completely lost in this store.   I really don't see what people buy here.   Everything is so expensive, and who actually hunts animals, or fishes for fish, or wears that much flannel.   I mean, it is a cool place to look around at taxidermy animals, but then I don't know what you do.   As I am writing this blog, there was a guy at this same Leeds Bass Pro that  ran his truck into a pole in the parking lot, stripped down nude, ran inside the Bass Pro, climbed the stairs to the top of the Aquarium tank, and jumped in.   So I guess you can do that?

While mom was still looking to go somewhere else for her birthday dinner, I decided for her that she wanted Cracker Barrell on this night.   It was a good meal and we all ate way too much, and they gave us a full extra plate of those tastey biscuits.  So good the next morning.   Then we got back on the interstate and returned to the Bass Pro exit, but this time on Buccee's Blvd.   I think everyone held it at dinner, so we could use the nicer Buccee's bathrooms all together.   So it was a wonderful night, and there are always presents and trinkets and nuggets that must be purchased while there, so we tried to support this amazing gas station.   

Chelsea Christmas Parade

 I believe this year Anabelle came up with the theme of "A Cozy Christmas" for the Chelsea Christmas Parade, and anytime you get to wear your pajamas all day is a good day, right?   There are a couple of pictures of the night before, when me, Mag, Ruby and Belle were putting the balloons and decorations on the float.   That was a fun experience, especially when Magan got into the trailer, and it started rolling down the driveway for a bit.   But we were careful after that, and got everything ready for the day of the Parade.   

The weather was cold, but not as bad as it has been on this day.   Once again, I took a vehicle to the end of the parade, while Magan took the girls to the start of the parade, then I made the trip to the front by foot.   It was fun for me, because in observance of the "Cozy Christmas", I wore the fox squishmellow costume with some Minion pants...and had a great time seeing the smiles on both the little ones already along the parade route, and a few adults poking fun at me.   

On the parade, after they allowed us in front of the nasty old cars with fumes, it was fun as always.   Anabelle and Ava were the leaders with the flag out front.   And the rest of the girls loved the fact they did not have to walk in this parade, but instead thru lots and lots of candy.   We never can save any candy for the people at the end, but that is alright, judging by the streets after this parade, there was plenty of candy for everyone.   I would also help run extra candy bags to Ava and Anabelle when they ran out.   

And of course, after our part in the parade was complete, we jumped back into the parade (It is so so long) to get candy and mainly to see Santa.   Always fun to see friends along the road, and hearing "MAGAN" from all the other Chelsea moms.   Or "Dad, take this ball to my friend. She is wearing that pink bow, and we just past her" Or "Dad, take this to Easton.   he has the glasses, that is taylor grace's brother"....haha Ruby, I was glad to be the delivery guy.   Hard to imagine not being in this parade, as it is always a fun time.