montreal

We just came back from a couple of days in Montreal. We always make a little tour there in the Fall to do some shopping and take time to catch our breath, just before Christmas! We don't normally leave it to this late in the season, it must have had something to do with the amazing Fall weather we've been enjoying this year! Anyway, it just happened to be today, bright and early, the Santa Claus parade was parading downtown!

Lilah was completely mesmerized by the whole scene!

Sorry for the lack of photo quality, there were many heads and shoulders in front of me, I should have given the camera to Lilah, she had the best seat in the house...on her Baba's shoulders!

[ the flickr set is here ]

help santa toy parade

This evening we went downtown for supper with our friends. And since the 'Help Santa Toy Parade' was happening in the city, we decided we'd take a walk over to watch the remainder of it. Lilah was super excited and taken in by all the shiny lights and music on all the floats, little girls dancing in the street, dressed up princesses, larger than life mascot teddy bears, candy canes galore, snowmen, elves... Oh my, I could just see her little mind just racing and recording it all.

The highlight of her night though, was when the larger-than-life teddy bear mascot hugged her. Oh, she was so so thrilled. She was also pretty happy when a fireman gave her a yummy candy cane.

Santa, on the other hand, totally disappointed her! After he said "Ho-Ho-Ho. Merry Christmas. I love you all.", and passed on by, she looked up at me rather startled and said, "But he didn't give me a present?" Oops - I guess she was hoping for a present!

My favourite 'Lilah quote' of the evening was when she asked me: "Are those goats real?" She was actually talking about the reindeers on santa's float! I know, I am so bad, but I totally laughed out loud!

[ more pictures here ]