Of Things Thanksgiving

We had a plan, and the plan was as follows:

• Gather up snacks, hot chocolate, warm blankets, and deck of cards


• Locate and don long underwear, snow pants, mittens, hats, scarves


• Claim a section of sidewalk along Central Park West at approx. 6:30 am


• Make friends with fellow settlers to decrease the likelihood of sidewalk theft in the case of absence due to bathroom breaks


• Settle in the for the long haul


• Enjoy one of the best parades in the world

We forgot to add a crucial element: Find a way to manipulate the weather.

Rats.

Yesterday afternoon it became clear that the weather was not going to be in a similar state come parade time, and we abandoned the parade plans. As a substitute, we walked to the area around the Museum of Natural History and watched hundreds of people in Macy's jumpsuits inflate the gargantuan balloons.

This morning, with Steve in NJ on a preaching assignment, the kids and I still made hot chocolate and watched the parade--in our apartment. Jonathan lasted for a full 5 minutes, then pronounced that the parade was only for mamas and girls. Chloe and I watched the whole thing, loving every Broadway song and celebrity endorsement. And with every soggy float that rolled across the screen, I was incredibly thankful that we were warm and dry indoors. It is Thanksgiving, after all.

After the parade, Chloe and I discussed the best way to decorate the apartment for Christmas, considering that we left our boxes of decorations in Michigan. We searched for supplies and started to create.

The not-too-shabby-if-a-bit-resembling-a-classroom results: