A Visit to the North Pole

Although Max and Molly had an impromptu visit with Santa at the tree nursery, we still wanted to take them on an official visit to the North Pole. Last year, on a friend's recommendation, we took them to an area farm that puts on a great Christmas show. And, unlike having to face the horrors of THE MALL, this place is clean and fun, the decorations are great, and it isn't overcrowded. The staff is exceptionally nice and the whole trip just gives you a warm, fuzzy, Christmas-y feeling. So, this year we decided to head back there for our visit with Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

We told Max and Molly that we were going to visit Santa and they were both really excited. Max is now at the age where he can really enjoy and appreciate holidays, which makes it all the more fun for Mama and Daddy. He also apparently remembers our visit last year, because he was talking about what we did, what we saw, and especially remembered that he got a candy cane from Santa (and this was before we spotted Santa at the nursery). Needless to say, on a 15-minute drive, Max reminded us that he wanted to see Santa about 1,303 times.

When we got there, we had to keep Max from running across the parking lot. The building was all decorated for Christmas and they had a whole bunch of animated/singing/musical animals and decorations inside, which both the kids thought were a little strange at first, but then thought were totally entertaining. We went upstairs to see Santa, ogled at all the music and lights and noise, and stood in the queue to see St. Nick. There was one little boy ahead of us, so we pretty much walked in and walked right up to see Santa and Mrs. Claus (after physically restraining Max from running up to Santa during the other little boy's visit). Molly was a little apprehensive, but content to sit on Mrs. Claus' lap. Max was busy chatting with Santa, checking out the decorations, and doing everything but looking at the photographer (or Mama, who also brought her camera). Of course, once Santa brought out the candy canes, even Molly was all smiles.

After our visit with Santa, we headed downstairs to get some fresh doughnuts and cider (in spite of Max's protests that he wanted to see Santa again). This was apparently the highlight of the trip for Molly, who inhaled her doughnut and was soon asking for another. We walked around a bit and checked out the Christmas trees and decorations, then headed back home because it was COLD. Max and Molly have been talking about their visit all evening, so I think it was a success (especially the candy canes, which they devoured as soon as we got home).