Christmas is a time for family. Whether or not you actually want to hang out with family, it is also a time for grand adventure at the mall when you have absolutely no where to be and no one to answer to.
Thaus was able to secure Christmas Eve day off from running fork lifts and processing last minute flooring orders. We seized the opportunity to take Xavier to see Tangled at the Provo Towne Center but unfortunately, it was sold out. So we decided to venture around the mall and see what goodies were in store for us this sunny Friday afternoon.
X was quick to find the kiddie rides on the main floor. The train conductor was on lunch break so X had to settle for manning the head car by himself while other kids climbed into the rear cars. Luckily for X, he is a Leo. Being in charge with a captive audience helps to keep his public image in high standing.
Xavier also exhausted our quarter supply pretty quickly. At $.50 a pop, a kid has to be selective about which rides are worth Mom and Dad's change. After he blasted off into space and cruised for chicks in his '57 Chevy, we rode the escalator to the second floor to see if Santa was ready for his impending evening adventure. Santa was perched on his throne surrounded by a wintry paradise of ornately decorated trees and silver snow. He was also heavily guarded by winding picket fences and Kodak professionals who required a $50 cover charge to enter Santa's personal space. Say hi from a distance, X. Santa has suffered from a rough economic year too. In order to recoup financial losses from elves being exported to China, Taiwan, and India, a 50% tax has been issued to speak with, sit with, or smile at the big guy. And if you want a complimentary candy cane with your picture order, there will be an additional $5.00 processing fee. We tried to persuade X that other activities going on in the mall were much more exciting and less damaging to our wallets than hanging with Santa.
Luckily for us, 4' 10" Grammy diverted all attention to herself as she tripped over a step and pregnant me strained my abdominal muscles catching her before she plummeted six inches to her death. We explained to her that she actually has to pick her feet up when changing elevations, no matter how slight the incline may appear. The goal is to stay on level ground so when the floor rises, she is to pick her feet up to meet it. Gram says, "Yeah, I know. I saw the step. I thought I could go over it." Say what? 'Cause it looks like you were trying to go through it. Perhaps we should have paid the fifty bucks to see Santa so that he could bring her a hang glider for her next aerodynamic stunt show.
Next to Santa's temporary home on the upper level is another kiddie ride station. It is conveniently located next to the food court and restrooms. Parents don't stand a chance of passing through this area without kids flocking to the money pit machines.
After we left the mall, we drove back to Spanish Fork for a homemade lunch at one of our favorite local eateries, Hickory Kist. Everything is made from scratch, from the bread and soup to the candied fudge and double decker turkey sandwiches. The restaurant has a log cabin facade and interior, complete with a livestock plucking station in the back. Just kidding...that station is reserved for plucking unruly customers only. We had to shuffle Grammy out before they put her on the chopping block...or was that us who wanted to put her on the block? The clam chowder was not up to Grammy's East Coast standards. I wonder if she knows there are no fresh clams on the shores of carp-filled Utah Lake.
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'Twas the night before Christmas, final preparations were being made. Quick, she's ruining the surprise, where the heck is Grammy's hearing aid?!
Traditions are very important to this Hoosier bred mom. When I was a child, my father read Clement C. Moore's immortalized holiday tale to my sisters and me every Christmas Eve. As an adult, it is a great honor to continue this custom in my own home. I purchased the Mary Engelbreit illustrated edition several years ago in anticipation of carrying on this beloved legacy.
It is another tradition in my family to open one present on Christmas Eve. Looking dapper in his new holiday pajamas (Thanks to Aunt Angie's fabulous sewing skills), Xavier unwrapped a musical Santa globe. He tucked it in bed with him that night.
One final check before bedtime...testing the cookies and milk.
Press play for Polar Express and snuggle in tight, the Amonetts are officially ready for Santa's midnight flight!
2 comments:
I love his face with that snow globe! That is too cute. I owe him a pair of jammies that actually fit--I'm on it!
Very cute and you do know us Hoosiers love our traditions!! :) We always read the same Christmas book every year as well! :)
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