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In 2007, my family and I went to New York City for Thanksgiving.

One of the things on our holiday to-do list was to see the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade.

My children have watched it on television every year so I thought it would be a great experience to see it .... live!

The weather was uncharacteristically warm for a Thanksgiving in New York City, so we didn't need our jackets — never mind warm hats, scarves, gloves or even the traditional hot cocoa. (I was glad I had the stroller with me, if only for someplace to put all the gear that was shed.)

We found a best viewing spot on 40th Street & Broadway where we could see pretty much everything, including up-close visits by the famous Macy's clowns who stepped right up to say hello, throw some confetti, and get the crowd cheering!

Little by little, the children inched their way under the barricades when, suddenly, the entire area was filled with little munchkins sitting cross-legged just waiting to see Santa Claus!

Even the police enjoyed the children's excitement. They gently tip-toed through the children and even patted a few on their heads as they passed.

The kiddie section was now surrounded by parents, and it was wonderful to get to talk with some of them who had traveled many miles for the same purpose...to see their children happy.

As an adult, I didn't think it was all that important to see the parade in person, but for the kids there was nothing but sheer delight as they saw favorite celebrities like High School Musical stars Ashley Tisdale and Corbin Bleu, or even Ronald McDonald coming down Broadway.

The floats, giant balloons, and the festive atmosphere all contributed to the spark of magic reflected in their watchful eyes.

Happy Thanksgiving!

About the Author
Katrina Cramer-Diaz is a working mom with a background in education and plenty of experience in parenting. She lives in Virginia with her four children..

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