Scary Old Saint Nick Part 3

Last Saturday, we went for a stroll down "Candy Cane Lane" in nearby El Segundo. Candy Cane Lane is actually a regular residential street which transforms into a wonder of Christmas lights and displays each December.

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Our neighbors and good buddies Nolan and Kayla (as well as their parents, of course!) joined us for the stroll. As they say, the more, the merrier!

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The amount of work that went into transforming these homes was incredible. While the kids marveled at the blinking lights and colorful displays, we parents marveled at the sheer amount of extra space that must be necessary to store everything once the season is over.

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Benjamin seemed to be having a great time. He and Nolan ran happily from one yard to the next, pointing at the displays and excitedly babbling to one another. But then suddenly, Benjamin stopped cold and starting wailing.

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What had happened? Did he stub a toe? Accidentally get whacked in the face? Suddenly realize that the amount of energy needed to power all of these light displays was cruelly ironic considering that the Copenhagen Climate Conference was happening at this very moment?

And then we saw the source of his distress:

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I guess his Santa-phobia extends to Santa-themed shrubbery!