The Polar Express

Last night, we rode the North Pole Express.

What a fun outing! The train departed at 6pm. Santa's elves read the The Polar Express book by Chris Van Allsburg, while the children ate sugar cookies and drank chocolate milk. Each child was given a little bell tied onto a red string. Then, all passengers and elves sang Christmas carols. When we arrived at the "North Pole", Santa boarded the train. As Santa walked through the train cars, he awarded each child a candy cane.

After the experience at the mall yesterday morning, I expected Dagny and Valerie to panic if Santa came too close.

Fortunately, no one in our group grew hysterical! If it weren't for the candy canes, I don't think either of the girls would have been so amicable to the dear old man in red.

From the picture below, it's easy to gauge the temperature of the reception the girls gave him!

Live and In Person

Today, we went to see Santa Claus at the mall. We had other business to attend to at the mall, so I explained to the girls that Santa would be there. If they would like, each of them could talk to him, tell him what they wanted for Christmas and even have their picture taken with him. With all of the excitement typical of a little child, both girls were quite enthusiastic!

As we parked the car and walked through the automatic doors, Valerie and Dagny boasted about all of the things they intended to tell jolly ole Saint Nick. It seemed as though I would probably have to tear them out of Santa's lap to give other children a chance before Santa's next break.

That was until we neared the center of the mall and saw the colossal display, including a snow man, reindeer, a two-story Christmas tree, gigantic candy canes. We walked to the front of the display and I showed them where Santa was sitting. At that moment, two little boys were lucky enough to get their picture taken with the man in red.

Suddenly, Dagny nearly pulled my pants down, as she gasped, "Mommy, carry me!"

Likewise, Valerie stopped in her tracks. I moved closer to the fence separating the crowd of onlookers from the display. I offered to go with them to visit Santa.

Valerie replied, "No, mom. Let's get out of here!"

So we watched for a few moments, allowing the girls to change their minds. As we left, Valerie's confidence grew and she informed me that she'd prefer to write Santa a letter.

A Truly Magical Guy

With Thanksgiving behind us, the girls are obsessed with Santa Claus.

Dagny sometimes self-corrects her mischief two-year-old behavior, as she says, "Santa Claus knows what I'm doing, mommy!"

Meanwhile, Valerie ponders the idea of Santa Claus.

Today, she asked me, "Can Santa Claus really see me?"

"Yes," I replied.

Fully analyzing my answer, she pressed further, "How can he see me?"

"Honey, he's a magical guy," which was enough of an answer for now.

What will she ask tomorrow....

Will Santa See Himself?

Today, the girls pleaded and pleaded to put up the Christmas decorations around the house. Namely, they wanted to put up the Christmas tree. Perhaps they believe Christmas will come sooner with the decorations in their places.

At one point, while trimming the tree, Valerie asked, "Will Santa see himself when he comes to our house?"

I probed, "What do you mean? Are you asking if he can see himself in the mirror?"

She said, "No, will he see himself on our tree?!"

Finally realizing what she was getting at, I replied, "Yes, he will be able to see all of the ornaments on our tree that look like him. Yes, of course, he will see himself!"

She smiled and continued to carefully and methodically place the miniature Santa ornaments on the tree.

The Pillars of Character

Apparently, child educators have taken on teaching basic values to children. Each month, Valerie's school opts to focus on one of the six pillars of character in the classroom. I don't remember doing this when I was in preschool or elementary school. But back then, parents and grandparents usually provided these life lessons at home. Perhaps families are too busy these days. Somebody should be responsible for teaching these basic codes of behavior in our society to our future leaders.

Overall, I agree that these pillars of character are a good idea. Yet, I can't help but wonder how these pillars are a bit contradictory. A perfect example arose the other day.

Despite the current concentration on the virtue of "caring", Valerie asked me if I was, "carrying a baby in my tummy".

Not sure where this was going, I responded, "No, honey. I don't have a baby in my tummy. Do you want a baby sister or brother?"

Valerie flatly remarked, "No mommy. You just look like you have a baby in your belly."

I wanted to shout, "But, I go to the gym! I only weigh 118 pounds and am still a size 4 or 6 (depending on the cut)! I've given birth to two kids via cesarean section! My mid-section doesn't look THAT bad!"

Instead, I gritted my teeth and focused on her demonstration of honesty. I wondered when would be a good time to teach the grey area of these six pillars of character. Her honesty completely blew away the "caring" pillar.

I know a few adults who could use a lesson in this grey area, too.

Thirty-Ten

Valerie: Mom, how old are you?

Me: Thirty-five.

Valerie: Then you'll be thirty-six.

Me: Yes

Valerie: Then you'll be thirty-seven.

Me: You got it.

Valerie: Then you'll be thirty-eight.

Me: Yep, you're a good counter.

Valerie: Then you'll be thirty-nine.

Me: You're right on track, honey.

Valerie: Then you'll be thirty-ten.

Me: Also known as, forty.

Valerie: No you'll be THIRTY-TEN!

Me: I guess thirty-ten sounds better than forty.

Guess how much....?

Valerie reminded me that next week is Thanksgiving. It falls on the same day as her "share" day at school.

Disappointed that she will be missing the ever-so-important "share" day at school, I suggested we have a share day at our house on Thanksgiving. To make it more appealing, I offered that she could have "share" time with our Thanksgiving guests, including Grandma Gwen, Grandpa Jim, Aunt Sarah and her cousin Abby. This news solicited a smile.

"Mom, you know what? Grandma and Grandpa are going to see me and tell me I've grown so big and ask me what I've been eating to grow so tall!"

I ventured, "What will you tell them?"

"I've been eating DONUTS!"