Santa 2013

Daddy and I decided that the kids needed to go see Santa this year.  We were having a hard time finding the perfect day to go.  Finally yesterday, I went online and paid in advance to Fast Pass the Santa line for Tuesday night.  I didn't look at the weather and was a little worried that the snow was going to impact our visit.  We were lucky, and the snow didn't affect us. 

Daddy picked up the kids and they went straight to the mall.  They ordered food and of course, the second they sat down, John had to use the bathroom.  I also need to add that the bathroom is not really close to the food court.  I arrived shortly after the bathroom trip, and we all ate dinner.  Then we headed to see Santa.  John and I walked together while Daddy and Gillian walked together.  We were almost to Santa and I heard Daddy calling my name.  I turned around and looked at Gillian.  She had black marks all over her face and her hands.  I asked Daddy what happened.  She ran her hand along the railing of the escalator and got black all over her hand.  Of course she then had to take her hand and smear it on her face.  And to make it worse, she wouldn't stop touching her face.  We went into the nearest store and found their bathroom.  As I was watching Gillian's face and hands, Daddy popped his head in the door and said "I'm sending in John!"  The men's room was being cleaned, and John had to go to the bathroom again.  By this point both Daddy and I were ready to give up. 

We once again headed to Santa.  Since I paid for our pictures online, we were able to skip the line.  I thought this was a smart move considering the last two years Gillian cried while she was sitting on his lap.  I thought that if we weren't in line for a long time, it would make things easier.  We got to see Santa and Gillian went right to him.  He picked her up and she sat on his lap.  Santa laughed at John's shirt (John was wearing his Naughty and Nice shirt).  The photographer tried to get Gillian's attention, but it didn't work.  All Daddy and I had to say was "Gilly! Cheese!"  She cheesed and we got a great picture!

  

How was your day?

Tonight at dinner, we asked the kids about their days.  Gillian said "I play with Nicholas and Sophia.  I sit in timeout chair."  I asked her why she had to go to timeout.  She said "I didn't stay on my mat at naptime."  At least she is honest. 

We asked John the same question.  He needed a little more prodding and prompting in order to get some info out of him.  I said "Did you have your picture taken today?"  He said "Yea.  But I didn't bring it home."  I asked "Did you get to play outside today or inside today at recess?"  John said "Inside."  I am loving these short answers.  Now I ask him, "Did you learn any friends names today?"  "John said "There really wasn't time.  I did try but that boy seemed really busy."  I decided to change the subject,  "Did you take a picture with your whole class?"  "Yea, but I didn't bring that one home either."  Daddy completely changed the subject, he asked "Name one place that you would love to visit."  John at first said "The Statue of Deliveries."  He paused and then said "The Statute of Liverity.  But that's far away."  Daddy explained that the statue isn't far from home and that maybe one day we could go visit it.     

Dessert

Daddy picked up the kids. On the way home John asked "When we get home, can I draw a picture of what I want for dessert?" At that moment, Daddy thought John was reading his mind. They had just stopped at the light on 520 by the Ralph's Italian Ices. Daddy was debating stopping a picking up some Italian ice for dessert when John asked to draw a picture. John got home and drew the picture below. When I got home, John came running upstairs to show me his picture. "Let me show you what I want for dessert!" It only took me seconds to realize what he wanted. My creative little man.