Tonight, Ray and I took Ethan to Oxnard to walk through a neighborhood that is known for excellent Christmas displays. We drove with the top down to get gas before heading down to Ventura. Ethan was wrapped in a blanket and Ray sat next to him in the back seat. I was the designated driver. Ethan enjoyed seeing the stars on the way to the gas station in Ojai, but was ready for the top to come down after that.

We had lots of fun walking up and down several neighborhood streets, seeing twinkling Christmas lights and displays of Santas, reindeer, snowmen, and one stable scene with baby Jesus, Mary, and Joseph surrounded by the three wise men and three full-sized stuffed camels.

After our holiday revelry, we headed off to Smart & Final, a big discount grocery market, where I pushed Ethan around the store in one cart while Ray filled another with food. Ethan was good in the store and only half-begged for cupcakes, cookies, candy, chips, and some of the toys he saw. He was a good sport, however, when I gave him some honey-sweetened cookies in the car and some nuts. When his dad came to get him after we arrived home at 10, Ethan told him he wasn’t ready to go. He wanted to come in and watch tv with Memaw and Papa. His daddy suggested it was late and Ethan could see us tomorrow. With that, he crawled underneath his dad’s big sweatshirt to be carried home and to bed.

Below are a few photos of tonight’s events. A sweet evening that allowed Liz and Ron to go out all by themselves and try a tasty Italian restaurant in town.

Memaw and Ethan tonight

Ethan in his seat with a blanket as we drove our convertible with the top down to the gas station.

One example of the many yards that were filled with decorations

Another

And another