happy.

Santa Claus came to our town tonight, and we were so ready.  We gave the kids a shower and put them in their pj's with promises of Santa, fire trucks, and candy.  There were all set.

We headed out about fifteen minutes before the fire department was set to come through our neighborhood, to be sure that we got a good spot to watch Santa go by.  I was sure it was going to be really crowded.  When we arrived at our spot, we were four of twelve people set to watch the parade.

Santa was running a little behind, so we hung out in the Jeep and listened to Christmas music while we watched for flashing lights.

Approximately 40 minutes after we arrived at our parade spot, the fire trucks came into view, and we all hopped out of the car, ready to cheer, and wave, and grab as much candy as we could.

The kids were so excited to see Santa, but as the fire department drove by at about 15-25 MPH, they were gone before we knew it.

And then Jack started to whimper, and Hannah looked up at me with her big, blue eyes, and said, "Why Santa no throw candy at my head?"

Apparently I remembered him throwing candy from when I was little, but he does not, in fact, throw candy in today's day and time.  Oops.  The littles were upset.

So we went home, sent the kids into the family room, and Brad and I threw leftover Halloween candy at them.  This seemed completely acceptable and fun to them, even better since we let them each eat one piece, and the rest of the night was wonderful.

Lesson learned.  Santa does not throw candy from the fire truck.

And we do not need to leave 45 minutes early to "get a good spot."

Now we know.

As we were tucking Jack in to bed tonight, he sat up and shouted, "Happy!"

I think he still had a good time - candy or not:)