As I mentioned yesterday, last night was the annual Festival of Lights. Us locals just refer to it as Light Up; I’m guessing that maybe “Festival of Lights” just has too many syllables?
Not only is it cold outside, but it snowed ALL DAY LONG. Talk about perfect timing to get everyone in the mood for Light Up…and Christmas.
We ate a light dinner here to save room for the treats ahead. Then it was time to bundle everyone up. Check out how absolutely adorable Emily looks in her bunting bag:
I have a question. This is a 0-3 month size bunting bag. Take a look at the size of the hood. I know that babies have big heads in proportion to their bodies, and my kids have big heads in general, but how big do they think a baby’s head can get in three months? That hood could fit a 6 year old! We put a fitted hat on her before we left.
And here is a picture of the boys clamouring to get out the door and get to the “street party.”
Yes, they are in matching jackets. Partly because they like to be the same, and partly because I get a kick out of dressing them the same. I have that power only for a short while, and I plan to use it while I can.
We got downtown a little after 6. We made a beeline for the Mini Donuts and some Hot Chocolate. Graham had to pee while we were in the ice cream shop getting the hot chocolate, and asked if he could have some ice cream. Dude, it’s FREEZING outside. At least he’s at the age where we can reason with him. It also helped that the nice ladies serving up the warm bevvies gave him and Nathan each a small candy cane.
We somehow managed to find Karen and Travis and their family in the crowd, but didn’t see anyone else. It could be due to the fact that it was wall-to-wall (or store-to-store) people, and it was dark. Remember, they don’t turn the lights on until 7.
Just before 7 the town crier (yes, we have a town crier) reads a speech and then the whole crowd counts down from 10. Someone flips a switch and the Christmas lights on all of the storefronts and trees light up. The crowd oohs and ahhs…and so did our boys. I don’t have any pictures of the event because, well, I only have two hands. I can tell you that the look on their faces was worth all of the hassle of going.
Speaking of hassle, have you ever tried manoeuvring a stroller through a crowd that thick? With one hand, as you hold onto your three year old with your other hand? Just another lesson in patience for yours truly.
It was a good night and the kids had fun. Now we’re off to buy a second Christmas tree for the new room, along with all of the decorations. It’s still snowing…
Sounds like a great time!
I too, have been taking advantage of the opportunity to dress my boys alike. It’s one of the perks of having two boys and I plan to take advantage of it for as long as they let me
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What fun !Tis the season, I just love this time of year the kids are so excited.
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Ok so that sounded fantastic and I’m just a little bit envious of your location. At the current moment we’re sitting at a balmy -21*C (no clue if there’s a windchill) and we have NO snow.
I’d much prefer snow and warmer weather, but since I have no control over the weather, I’ll just live vicariously through you.
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The light was great. Aliah sang with the kids choir. We actually missed the “light up” part because I needed a cookie from the bakery as I was starving, but no one minded. The fireworks were amazing. I love Summerland. Something tells me that although we afre moving, we will always make it back for light up.
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I thought you were going to say that the town crier were our 4 kids and in particular, Ben.
They should do that every night!
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That sounds like a totally great time! And I like the name of it… Light Up. Sounds like something Nelson would Officially name something.
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Nice to have snow for Light up. Glad you had a good time. We also got even more snow, and it feels like -39 out there with the wind chill. Good thing we are inside baking. Have a good weekend.
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Sounds like a lovely evening! I miss the snow…
I can’t figure out why the sizes for babies clothes are so messed either, especially for the 0-3 month age, the people who make them must not have kids of their own, and they defiantly have no given birth if they think that a newborn would fit into some of the stuff that is out there!!
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What a great outing into the community-the spirit of Christmas. It’s started snowing here today too…PS-Emily looks sooo cute in the bunting outfit!
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Reading your post today made me extra homesick. I love light up, its so festive.
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Again that is such a cool idea! And being a great lover of Christmas lights I cant wait to go to our big park here and drive through all the displays. It’s a lovely -32 here GROSS! And yes the sizing on the kids clothes is frankly retarded. We bought two little Christmas sleepers with matching hats and the hats are huge they too could fit a 6 year old..and lucky duck two trees!!
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It was so wonderful! We had a great time too. Too bad we didn’t run into you- but we did see most everyone else.
Good times.
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Sounds wonderful indeed!!
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LOL, Emily’s hat is hilarious! Do they make them large so you can put extra layers on underdeath?
It sounds lovely to have a ceremony for the entire town – and a town crier!
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