Issue link: https://fredparent.uberflip.com/i/756729
8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • December 2016 PUBLISHER Leigh Anne Van Doren Tabitha & Jamie Nelle's mom EDITOR Chris Jones Quincy, Hayden & Olive's dad OPERATIONS Stephanie Maldonado Julia, Tyler & Aiden's mom BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT & MARKETING Heidi DiEugenio, President, HD Solutions Duke & Dane's mom ADVERTISING & SALES Julie Brosnan, twins Chris & Finn's mom DESIGN & PRODUCTION Cheryl Carter, President, Carter Creations Alex, Kate & Jackie's mom WEBMASTER Karen Charney Joshua & Spencer's mom SOCIAL MEDIA Brenda Sapanghila Archer, Maddox & Oliver's mom CALENDAR & COOL THINGS TO DO ELETTER Leigha Pecher Jake and Luke's mom EDUCATION ELETTER & EVENTS Debra Caffrey Aidan's mom COMMUNITY BLOGS Mary Becelia Katherine Laura & Robert Joseph's mom FACEBOOK COMMUNITY Pamela Quinones Corinn, Michael, Isabella & Dalton's mom parent fredericksburg & family Entrepreneur of the Year PROUD FOUNDING MEMBER ADVERTISING PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL adsales@fredericksburgparent.net CALENDAR & SOCIAL MEDIA E-MAIL socialmedia@fredericksburgparent.net EDITORIAL PHONE 540/374-1495 E-MAIL editor@fredericksburgparent.net SNAIL MAIL P.O. Box 7884, Fred'bg, VA 22404 www.fredericksburgparent.net The publishers reserve the right to reject any advertisement, editorial or listing that does not meet the publication's standards. No part of this magazine may be reproduced with out permission. Listing and advertising rates are available upon request. Every effort has been made to assure the accuracy of the information con- tained herein, however, the publisher cannot guarantee such accuracy. Listings and advertisements are subject to typographical errors, ommissions and/or change without notice. For terms and conditions please visit our website at www.fredericksburgparent.net © Copyright 2016 Nurture, Inc. All rights reserved. WRITTEN BY Mary BeCelia LIKE facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent SIGN UP www.FredParent.net TWEET facebook.com/ FredericksburgParent PIN www.pinterest.com/ fredparent FOLLOW @fredparentmagazine Last December I had an unexpected opportunity to enjoy Caroline Street's festive holiday decorations after dark. My son was at a play rehearsal in the building that houses Jabberwocky and I had scored an amazing parking space…right across the street! If you've ever tried to get a parking spot on Caroline Street in the weeks leading up to Christmas, you'll appreciate my thrilled disbelief at this bonanza. what's more, it was a generous space with plenty of room for me to pull into. Double bonus! Unfortunately, I was so excited by the empty stretch of asphalt that I swerved into the spot with a bit too much vigor. well a lot too much vigor. I sideswiped my front passenger tire and gashed it. So, while the children worked on their lines a few sto- ries above, I paced the block waiting for the auto service guy to show up. I strode up and down, berating myself and thinking about how much a new tire was going to cost. Two new tires probably, in order to keep things balanced. Of all the timing—right before the holidays and so many gifts yet to buy! I paced some more as if I could run away from my dilemma. Gradually I slowed down and took a deep breath. I looked around and admired the twinkle lights garlanding the trees. I peered in a few shop windows, strolling now rather than stomping, and was able to appreciate the time and care that our local merchants had put into their seasonal displays. A kitten wearing a winter scarf! A cascade of ribbon decorating a miniature tree! A wide-eyed doll that looked like she'd just come from Santa's workshop! And the candy! (I was parked near Sweets on Caroline). It looked absolutely delectable! by the time the service guy arrived, I was feeling better and was able to make a cou- ple of jokes at my own expense. It wasn't the sort of holiday memory I had planned on making, but it has become one of my favorites. Those beautiful, glowing windows gave me a few moments of unexpected delight. I can't wait to stroll in downtown Fredericksburg and enjoy them again this year! From gashed to gushing (with Delight) letter to the readers