My children have gone to visit Santa every year. This is not a choice I have made lightly. I struggle with two inner arguments over the virtues of propagating the idea of Santa. To save you from the many details of my years long inner debate, I will just get to my end decision. Santa is part of the culture. I create an environment in our home where fantasy is not only allowed, rather we seek it out, explore and appreciate it. There is magic in youth. I never stress any myths of Santa, I simply follow their lead. My house is already covered in Santa this time of year, as I have a slight obsession with unusual Santas, And lastly (for the sake of time) I don't want to be 'Miracle on 34th Street Mom'.
Now that we've got that out of the way... I wanted the trip itself to be special. For some families a trip to the mall is steeped in tradition, and that is lovely. I personally loath malls, all malls. Luckily I found a solution last year, one that I am so so so happy with. The Rosson House. A local Victorian Era museum that offers Cookies and Cocoa with Santa. A few hours outside with rose gardens, train rides, cocoa, cookie decorating, ornament making, and of course Santa!
~Making Wrapping paper....
~a discussion with the Big Guy himself...
~decorating cookies...
~train rides...
~making push pin tin ornaments, and did I mention the ice cream?...
~rose gardens...
We had a beautiful time. It was just what my little family needed after a long week of stresses, and worries. Ice cream, train rides, cocoa, cookies, and a visit with a mythical figure all in a beautiful setting. What more could I ask for? I can tell you that Ava asked for a 'big bike' (check. One big girl bike coming up), and Cyrus asked for 'big ones'. (umm. Its the same thing he was thankful for this year. I guess we are going with a fire truck...?)
A special addition to this years holidays... Ava's dress was passed on by my mother who wore it when she was 6, in 1958. I Love it!!!
(Oh, and they also have an antique store, and a table with estate sale finds that honestly, for me, makes the trip worth it even if they didn't have all the other good stuff) shhhhhh!
1 comment:
I feel the same way about Santa, I just sort of let him be. I'm constantly asking Justin, "Well, what do you think?" For the longest time he thought his name was Chirstmas Guy.
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