Last night included that annual family tradition that requires us to drive around Tuscaloosa seeking out the best and the brightest holiday light decorations to acknowledge and reward. The kids and I worked on making awards plaques yesterday- and first prize received all the permanence of a wood plaque rather than cardboard.
Each of us had one vote for each prize, and six individual votes ranging got rather boisterous given the unanimity requirement for the awarding of each prize. But unanimity prevailed, though I might add that a fair amount of persuasion and arm-pulling was involved.
Just as we were walking out the door in our preferred holiday pajamas, a nice nun from down the street pulled up in her car. She walked up to the steps holding Pinka in her arms. All of us were surprised- Pinka must have snuck out in all the hubbub! The super-sweet nun passed Pinka to a worried band of munchkins, who fawned over her and cooed discordantly.
When I asked the nun how she knew that Pinka belonged to us, she smiled and said:
"Well, she had spaghetti on her back, so I figured...."
Thank goodness for friendly, insightful neighborhood nuns. The eldest put Pinka back in the house and we all packed into the minivan for our designated drive.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
2514 Woodland Hills Drive
5 12th Avenue East
Tune in to the radio station for more flashing fun.
THIRD PRIZE: 3664 Firethorn Drive
Inflatable wonderland won third prize on the basis of its multiple inflatable holiday decorations, including a retro holiday camper. The kids really liked this one, and I imagine a family with kids was behind the magic.
SECOND PRIZE: 2 Sycamore Lane
The words "elegant" and "smooth" were tossed around during the votes on this house. Apart from the lovely bright modern LED lights, there was a pink inflated holiday piglet and a lazy Santa in a Hawaiian hammock that led to many rounds of giggles. The eldest theorized that "French people must live there" due to the 2 lighted Eiffel towers near the door. Given my preferences for all things French, the vote was an easy one for me.
FIRST PRIZE: 56 Cherokee Hills
This was a vote in which quality and favoritism outweighed quantity and spectacle- a good reminder that even direct democracy does not always produce the expected results.
If you are out and driving around East Tuscaloosa, stop by and peek at how some of your neighbors share their holiday spirit through the diligent, creative art known as outdoor holiday lights.
