Collin's Christmas List

We met with the big guy today, you know, the boss, the big kahuna, the man with the plan, the end-all-be-all to the kiddos: SANTA! Collin did not freak out. He did not scream, kick, yell or even whimper. Nor, did he vomit, poop or pee on the guy. All in all, a good experience was had by all--except for Mommy because her camera decided to crap out as soon as we got to the front of the line, thus we got a few pictures of Grace with the man in red (who was before us to show us how cool he was) and NO pictures of Collin. Phew, thank goodness for that helpful Roach Family again! They swooped in a bit later with their camera and we stood in line again...pictures to follow when they e-mail them. Gosh they are so helpful to us, aren't they? Anyway, no matter how many times or ways you ask Collin what he wants for Christmas, even from Santa, he just says: "cookies." Hee hee.

There was a cool kids holiday party at the youth center today. There was an arts and crafts room where they got to make an ornament. I figured, glue, some glitter, paper and string would be involved. I was wrong. It was paper that when you scratch it, reveals sparkly underside. Really neat, sure. But, the supplies they gave kids to scratch the surface with was pointy sticks. Cool for big kids. Not so cool when you kid is under too. Where does Collin think pointy sticks should go? Yep, you guessed it...in his mouth and a little up his nose (right to the brain of course) mostly because his aim to his mouth was off. Anyway, the arts and crafts room required a lot of supervision but was super fun because I'm such a sucker for saving these special treasures that look like total crap.
Then, there was a "frost your own cookie" area. This was the height of hilarity because the "elves" were trying to get the kids, in an ever so kind way, to frost their cookies, put them in the baggies provided and move along to the next activity--you know, keep the traffic flowing. Riiiiiight. Show a kid a cookie, frosting and sprinkles and ask them NOT to eat it. Collin took one look at what was in front of him and you can guess what happened. Believe it or not, no cookies were eaten, but the frosting was summarily disposed of in a very messy fashion.

After that, there was "Candyland." Some lady threw a giant die and asked kids to move so many spaces along a giant board, which eventually ended at the line for Santa (who was by the way late, and not there when we finished our round...thank goodness my kid is too young to care!!!). But, every so often there are little treats handed out by helper elves. The treats were pretty cool little trinkets, like maze games and coloring books. Collin was bored after one roll, so we just kept walking until he caught sight of the blow up jump house!


Yes, I freaked out, but let him in there. I begged him to stay on the sides, holding onto the netted window like Gracie, where he would be safe from the wild animal children who would be sure to maim him or, at the very least, give him a bloody nose. Did my monkey child, equipped with some weird sense of bravery listen to me? No. He dove right for the middle where he planted himself...SEATED! What is he, CRAZY! He flew up in the air repeatedly from the bouncing around him as I watched with my heart in my throat through the windows...a smile as wide as the Mississippi spreading across his little face. Don't worry, he's fine. Of course.


This is Collin, making another break for the jump house....

Alas, despite the fact that all he's asked for from Santa is cookies, we've done all his Christmas shopping today. Isn't it awesome when they are too young to know what the heck is going on and you can take them with you? Next year is going to suck.