I had a “I am a terrible mom” moment on Friday when I called to make reservations for Breakfast with Santa at Joseph Beth Bookstore on Saturday (yes the very next day) and they were already fully booked. I had intended to call much earlier, but things have been so busy and every time that I remembered it was either before or after store hours. I felt terrible. We had such a great time at the breakfast last year with the DeLacy’s and I was really looking forward to making this an annual tradition. I envisioned the girls’ excitement when Santa entered the room, them eagerly running up to sit on Santa’s lap smiling up at him … but this picture would not turn to reality due to poor planning on my part.
So instead, we sought out other fun holiday activities around town with the opportunity to see Santa. And based on how that played out I am guessing that my “vision” of Kenzie & Lexi visiting happily with Santa would not have become reality even if I had called in time to get tickets to Breakfast with Santa …
On Saturday morning we headed over to the Museum Center to see the Holiday Trains and Santa. Granted, the first time this season that the girls saw Santa at the German Christkindlmarkt did not go over too well. But since then, they have learned who Santa is. They have seen movies with Santa, they have read books about Santa, everywhere we go there are pictures of Santa. We have an elf who goes to the North Pole to report back to Santa every night. The girls know ”Santa.” So I thought maybe now it would be different. Oh was I wrong.
The girls loved seeing all of the “choo-choos” and the “snow”. They had a blast playing with the trains and the other kids. They did NOT like seeing Santa. From afar Lexi pointed and yelled “Santa!” But once we approached and it was actually time to sit on his lap, they were petrified. They clung to me, burying their faces into my chest. So we hurried along, trying to spare Santa’s feelings and restore the joyful holiday spirit in our girls.
Santa fail.
the only picture that we have to commemorate this traumatic encounter is this blurry iphone pic
The next morning we went down to Findlay Market for breakfast and some shopping. We enjoyed waffles with strawberries and cream and a breakfast burrito. Yum or “mmmmmmm” as Kenzie exclaimed throughout our meal! Then we had fun exploring the market, getting inspiration for our holiday meals.
Following our trip to the market we decided to stop by Fountain Square since we were already downtown. We debated taking the girls ice skating, but as we approached the rink and the girls spotted the man in the red suit, with a white beard and big belly on the ice our decision was made. We would NOT be ice skating with Santa. Instead we enjoyed the big Christmas tree and a visit to Tiffany’s.
What girl wouldn’t like to wake up to this under the tree on Christmas morning?
On Sunday evening we visited the Live Nativity at our Church. The girls enjoyed watching baby Jesus in the manger, hanging out with the shepherds by the fire, and feeding the baby goats. They almost got run over by an overly rambunctious foal (baby donkey/mule), but even that evoked giggles.
Christmas success! Christmas is all about the story of Jesus (not Santa) anyway. Maybe that’s what the girls were trying to remind me of all along.
