Santa and Edmund
My birthday was this past Saturday, but with a husband in residency, I knew to expect that the day would be much like any other. Steven was on call (read working all day and night), so my celebration will have to take place at a later date. Fortunately, a few weeks ago Steven sent me an email detailing a fun Christmas event at Spice Street, a local restaurant. He thought it would be a good way for Edmund and I to get out and celebrate even if he would have to sit this one out.
Last year you may recall we went to a fancy breakfast with Santa at the Carolina Inn. This year's event may not have been held at a 5 star hotel, but was very similar and dare I say, better. The Spice Street event is open to anyone, but since it is sponsored by the hospital, most of the attendees are hospital affiliated. We didn't have to make reservations, the cost wasn't astronomical, and the breakfast buffet was phenomenal.
The breakfast was drop-in and since I'd never been before I decided to get there early. We arrived at 8:30, a little later than I planned, but things weren't busy at all then. Edmund was very excited to see Santa sitting by the entrance when we walked in. We decided we would visit the big guy after breakfast. One of the things I absolutely loved about the event was it was also a way to help Edmund be involved in giving. In order enter the event we dropped off a Toy Story truck that Edmund had picked out on his own to donate to Toys for Tots and also two non-perishable items for the food pantry. I loved that this event wasn't just about getting, but giving as well. Some of the breakfast proceeds also went to the hospital, but I liked that Edmund could have a tangible way to see how we were helping other people. He asked if he could pick out a child at the breakfast to give the toy we brought to. This led to a discussion about how we were helping children who might not have much and how the volunteers would bring his toy to just the right child.
After dropping off our donations Edmund asked to have his face painted. Never mind the Christmas choices on display, he wanted a purple and blue butterfly. The color choices I understood. Those are his two favorites, but the picture choice baffled me. Then I realized that the only thing he has ever had painted on his cheek at school events are butterflies. I'm assuming this is because they are easy, or maybe this is all he ever asks for. Either way,the volunteer did a splendid job. My hat goes off to her as I stay as far away from the face painting table as I can. Cheek donned with the unseasonal butterfly, Edmund was ready for breakfast.
As we headed to the dining room, Edmund told the hostess that he wanted eggs and bacon. I told Edmund that might not be a choice, but she told him he was in luck. We were about to sit down by ourselves when a friend of mine from a medical spouse playgroup I attend invited us to sit with their family. They have 11 month old twins and a 3 year old boy whom Edmund loves. It also worked out well as all the adults were able to take turns hitting up the buffet.
Normally Edmund is all about his food, but he worked quickly so we could take our turn with the guy in the red suit. At our breakfast last year we wandered the hotel for nearly 2 hours waiting for a turn with Santa. Here we simply walked up. A few other children lined up behind us to watch, but there was virtually no waiting. Edmund was a little shy at first. Who wouldn't be? Eventually he made his way onto Santa's lap. Santa was having trouble getting Edmund to talk. Edmund shook his head yes when Santa asked if he wanted a variety of things including a "knuckle sandwich." At the end of the visit Edmund quickly said he wanted a ball. A very easy request to fill I might add. We got an adorable picture with a smiley child, and for simply the cost of printing.
While we waited for our picture to print, Edmund and I headed over to the craft table. Edmund, with lots of mommy help, made a "Santa." Later we realized we forgot his beard, so perhaps it was simply one of Santa's elves. Edmund also had fun coloring a picture of Santa as he talked to a few other children at the table. This event had enough activities to keep both Edmund and myself occupied, but wasn't overwhelming. I'm thinking we have a new tradition!
Not Too Close Santa
When we arrived at the Carolina Inn Edmund immediately spotted a gingerbread castle sculpted from sand. The previous two weeks at school were all about gingerbread, so Edmund couldn't contain his excitement. He would have stayed at the castle much longer were it not for the fact his mommy and daddy were freezing their pants off outside. When we entered the inn we were directed to a large ballroom full of close to 300 parents and children. I was expecting something a little more intimate, but I was immediately able to adjust my expectations. There were two breakfast buffet lines. As a nice touch, the waffle and pancake line was at perfect kid height. It was fun for the children to see the options without having to be lifted up. Ever since his first hotel experience, Edmund has held a place in his heart for hotel breakfasts. This was a treat for Edmund, Santa or not.
Edmund loved the breakfast and probably had about three servings when all was said and done. The people at our table wandered over to the place where Santa would be, but we thought it best Edmund eat and jump in at the end of the line. As Edmund continued eating Santa made his way through the ballroom to the sounds of jingle bells. He shook hands with ch
ildren as he made his way to his place of honor in front of the Christmas tree. We expected a bit of a wait so we decided to get up and tour the inn while we waited for the line dwindle.
The Carolina Inn has a "12 Days of Christmas" display every year that I'd always wanted to see. This wasn't really Edmund's thing, but he did have fun seeing "Bill and Coo", the two live partridges at the front of the Inn. As we wandered the halls of the inn we stumbled upon a gingerbread house contest. Edmund wondered aloud if a gingerbread baby was in one of the houses, as his favorite book at school the past week was The Gingerbread Baby by Jan Brett. I was most impressed by a gingerbread display made to look like an old covered bridge and cast my vote. Edmund couldn't choose just one house, so he passed on the voting.
After seeing as much of the inn as we could without surprising guests by entering their rooms, we returned to the ballroom. Unfortunately the line for Santa hadn't moved much. We decided we would stake out a place in line and take turns with Edmund. Edmund loves to wait for Santa. The problem is he will wait hours for Santa, but as soon as his turn arrives, gets cold feet. I know this because sometimes on cold afternoons we wander the mall. Edmund asks to wait in line to see Santa. He has a blast in line. Other parents comment on how patient he is, and when it's his turn to see Santa guess what? Edmund will turn to the child behind us and say "
it's that kid's turn mommy." At this point I encourage Edmund to wave or give Santa high five and then we're on our way. Thus I knew Edmund would have no problem with the wait. It was mommy and daddy who would need to practice patience.
Fortunately there was a magician working the crowd in the ball room. He did some amazing magic, but Edmund was unamused. That is, until the magician made mommy's nose squeak. Edmund laughed so uncontrollably that the magician squeaked mommy's nose several times. I had a bit of a sore nose after that. Edmund also received a chocolate coin the magician found hiding behind his ear, but that couldn't compare to mommy's squeaky nose. Eventually even the magician had to depart, so Edmund decided to watch as the other children talked to Santa.
After a rather lengthy, but fun-filled wait it was Edmund's turn to sit with Santa. Edmund of course didn't want to sit on Santa's lap. He did however, agree to sit next to Santa. Santa asked Edmund what he wanted for Christmas. Edmund responded by pointing to a mini gingerbread Beannie Baby in a basket and said "I want a gingerbread baby for Christmas." Santa said "yes and what else would you like." Edmund gave Santa a puzzled look and said "a gingerbread baby." After hearing several long Christmas lists that included Wiis and Leapfrogs, Santa seemed shocked and perhaps a bit relieved that all Edmund wanted was the little gingerbread toy all the children at the breakfast would receive. When Santa handed Edmund his gingerbread baby, Edmund was thrilled. He held and cuddled his gingerbread baby the whole way home. The breakfast was indeed the perfect way begin our weeklong countdown to Christmas.
Santa and Edmund
