Christmas by the Bay
November 15, 2025 — 8:47pm
Dear Reese,
We go the Sturgeon Bay Christmas by the Bay parade and festivities this morning, and I feel the most like myself in weeks. A little more energetic, my cold nearly behind me, I am so grateful that most of today it feels like I can show up as your mom the way I want to.
We make it a Reese day — a treat day. We have McDonald’s breakfast before the parade and then watch the holiday cheer as festive floats go down Third Avenue. There’s candy thrown and you suck on a butterscotch dumdum . . . until someone hands you another dumdum so you immediately set the first one down on the street to have the new one instead. It’s very funny. Your Aunt Jenn is sitting with us and laughing, too.
We do a little shopping at the kids’ clothing store afterwards, and then head to see real reindeer outside. You definitely want to crawl all the way into their pen so there’s a little toddler wrangling, but it’s very cool to see them, huge antlers and all. Cappi asks when they start flying.
You are completely wiped by the time we’re walking around a winter craft fair at TAP, and when I walk back outside Cappi points out that you’ve fallen asleep on my shoulder. I hold you like that while we buy stickers from the art supplies store and then sit down on a street bench to let you sleep. You are past the age where this happens often, and I find it achingly sweet. Aunt Jenn catches me up on her recent trip while you snooze, and Cappi and MorMor finish some shopping.
It’s a short nap in the end, but it refreshes you, so we can make a quick stop at Novel Bay Bookstore on the way back to the car before heading to a late lunch at Culver’s. I know, two fast food restaurants in one day. We were really splurging. And risking it. You are a little too tired and rambunctious for a smooth meal, but we make it happen together.
By the time we’re back at the cottage, it’s three o’clock, and your normal 1-3 nap has been shot to hell. I lay you down in your crib and you immediately pass out until I wake you an hour later. It was such a good day — but it took all our energy. Despite the late nap, you have no problem going to bed on time tonight.
Next year, maybe we’ll try to meet Santa. He was at the Maritime Museum, but you might be a little too young to sit on his lap for a photo op. Your stranger danger radar is very strong right now (correctly, so).
Tomorrow, the plan is to be much more low-key. . . and stick to the nap schedule.
Love,
Mama