Yes, to me Christmas has officially begun. It started when Neil and I compiled our buying list on Saturday and I started wrapping on Sunday. I've spent the week shopping, re-ordering Christmas cards (long story) and generally getting into the Christmas spirit.
We have started some new homework rules, for those of you playing the home game, and one of the perks is a periodic celebration. The kids are left largely on their own to complete homework now (which is going REALLY well according to us and both of their teachers in conferences this past week) and when you complete a long term assignment you get a celebration. Devin had both a book report (# 2 of 10 due this year) and a Current Events topic which is written and an oral presentation to the class. Coming on the heels of those we told him he could pick a dinner out tonight to celebrate. He chose Olive Garden (shocking) and they both wanted to go see Santa (yeah!!).
Our mall Santa rocks. They import him from South Carolina every year. All hair is his own. He is my hero every year. This year our mall adapted last year's theme (reusing snow globes and the like - yeah, recycle!!) to be something to do with the Polar Express.
Happy memories of tonight - being in the snow globe, watching the snow fall on us and seeing Julia's face full of joy and wonder as she looked up at the snow. It was almost like a movie that played in slow motion. I'll never forget it. I was wiping tears away when we got to Santa.
When we got to Santa he amazed them with his recollection of their names (though later they both confessed they thought we told the workers their names - busted) and although Devin chose to sit "next" to Santa rather than on his lap, I was thrilled that, at age 9, he's still wanting to see him. Julia chose the "lap" option which made me glow. She's still my baby, after all.
They had a great chat with Santa, and I caught his eye on the walk away and mouthed "Thanks." Thanks for one more year of wonder, belief and the joy of being a kid. Thanks for that early Christmas gift for me, which I'll not soon forget. It will be only too soon before they shun the notion of the mall Santa and the real one, for that matter. I for one, still believe.
So, yes, it's Christmas time for me now.
P.S. Our mall did a brilliant thing this year and teamed up with Shutterfly for the pictures. Shutterfly sent me a $10 off coupon for the mall Santa pix. For $23 I got a reusable flash drive with our picture loaded on it and a $25 Shutterfly card-maker coupon to make prints of the photo. Such a deal!!
3 comments:
Dude, we're going to your mall!
ok posted too quick. I am starting to get into the holiday spirit myself. excited that for the first time EVER the kids will wake up in their house and beds on Xmas. just need to get through these final shoots and ALL the proofing. bit off more than I can chew- for sure.
Is any family coming up to see you, or will it be just the 4 of you?? Sounds good either way!!
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