How I love some Christmastime! Technically we are in Advent and Christmas starts in a couple of weeks on Christmas Day and lasts 4-6 weeks till Epiphany. We have never really paid that much attention to the Episcopal schedule the way we are this year because Matt has been planning the music for church. Learning so much!
Here is Day 1 in my 12 part series of holiday cheer and activities.
Elmhurst does this tree lighting event in Wilder Park, the park across the street from us. We sure did enjoy walking to the trees and were grateful to not have to fight for parking! This was a couple of weeks ago. Anyone can purchase a tree and decorate. Most proceeds go to charity. They had real reindeer and Cassidy just about lost her mind; her little body wriggling with anticipation as we flew through a short line to get up close and personal. We learned these reindeer are very well taken care of on a huge piece of land/reserve northwest of here. Did you know they are excellent swimmers?
Reindeer, check!
On to the free hot chocolate and cookie table. Check!
Then we turned around to see the mile long line for Santa....no check there, we waved to Santa from afar and kept moving.
While this event was fun and full of happy, excited people, the planner in me was a little critical of the fact that it was pitch dark and there were NO lights except for the small lights on the portable stage in the trailer. I would have appreciated a map listing the trees by number and who purchased them. And a sign or two directing us on where things were would have been helpful! You kind of just wandered through the crowds in the dark and would stumble upon something new! So you could look at it as a fun, surprise filled, hunt down an activity kind of evening versus a crowded, confusing mess of screaming children and bewildered parents.
There was an actual program we were not aware of until suddenly our ears were filled with holiday music...check! Some singers and musicians from local elementary and middle schools put on a show and some young dancers bopped around on stage. Cute!
Finally, they did a countdown and the lights came on. I cannot give this a checkmark as it was an underwhelming experience. There we are in the midst of well wishers and anxious wee ones as the lights came on for trees that were on the perimeter of the crowd and stood no taller than 5 feet. We couldn't see any lights! It was still pitch dark. My husband was doubled over in laughter as he looked at the incredulous look on my face. Matt claims I said, "Is that it?" Now I have no recollection of such rudeness coming out of my mouth, but it is possible. It was at this moment we left.
We did walk by the lights the next day and they were nice!
Here is Day 1 in my 12 part series of holiday cheer and activities.
Elmhurst does this tree lighting event in Wilder Park, the park across the street from us. We sure did enjoy walking to the trees and were grateful to not have to fight for parking! This was a couple of weeks ago. Anyone can purchase a tree and decorate. Most proceeds go to charity. They had real reindeer and Cassidy just about lost her mind; her little body wriggling with anticipation as we flew through a short line to get up close and personal. We learned these reindeer are very well taken care of on a huge piece of land/reserve northwest of here. Did you know they are excellent swimmers?
Reindeer, check!
On to the free hot chocolate and cookie table. Check!
Then we turned around to see the mile long line for Santa....no check there, we waved to Santa from afar and kept moving.
While this event was fun and full of happy, excited people, the planner in me was a little critical of the fact that it was pitch dark and there were NO lights except for the small lights on the portable stage in the trailer. I would have appreciated a map listing the trees by number and who purchased them. And a sign or two directing us on where things were would have been helpful! You kind of just wandered through the crowds in the dark and would stumble upon something new! So you could look at it as a fun, surprise filled, hunt down an activity kind of evening versus a crowded, confusing mess of screaming children and bewildered parents.
There was an actual program we were not aware of until suddenly our ears were filled with holiday music...check! Some singers and musicians from local elementary and middle schools put on a show and some young dancers bopped around on stage. Cute!
Finally, they did a countdown and the lights came on. I cannot give this a checkmark as it was an underwhelming experience. There we are in the midst of well wishers and anxious wee ones as the lights came on for trees that were on the perimeter of the crowd and stood no taller than 5 feet. We couldn't see any lights! It was still pitch dark. My husband was doubled over in laughter as he looked at the incredulous look on my face. Matt claims I said, "Is that it?" Now I have no recollection of such rudeness coming out of my mouth, but it is possible. It was at this moment we left.
We did walk by the lights the next day and they were nice!
I've never seen reindeer in person - too cool! It reminds me of my favorite holiday movie "Prancer." That last picture of Cass smiling with you kills me - so cute!
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read your next holiday posts!
Aww thanks V! I LOVED Prancer growing up! We should add that to our to-do list. Can't believe I get to see y'all in a couple of weeks! And I definitely almost poked my eye out trying to get a picture of Cass petting the reindeer while walking around the animal...those horns are big!
ReplyDelete