Festival of Trees

 This morning I was thinking how nice it would be to do fun Christmassy things this year with the kids.  Cailin is old enough now to get a real kick out of stuff like that, so I googled a quick search for local ideas and this weekend is the Festival of Trees!  I asked Cailin if she wanted to go and see Christmas trees.  She ran to get socks on (that means yes).  

There was so much to do and see at the venue.  It was pretty cost effective too, $20 for the whole afternoon, including souvenirs (including the priceless souvenir, see below).  I unloaded the jogging stroller and away we went.

The whole building is decked out in holiday splendor.  Cailin was so excited about the entrance booths because they had a snowman and candy canes on them.  Once inside the actual venue, she just stood with her mouth gaping and taking it all in.  It's absolutely beautiful and a child's Christmas dream come true.  The whole place is filled with trees of every shape, size and decoration scheme.  Giant snowflakes, twinkling lights and music.  There's booths painted like the North Pole, a gingerbread house display, mini shops, letter writing to Santa, and the man in red himself was there in person!  

We made a couple laps around all the booths and activities for Cailin to soak it all in.  We checked out the candy shoppe (and left just as quickly, everything looked delicious!) and wandered over to the Teddy Bear Hospital.  It's set up just like the NICU at the hospital with different activities at every station.  The 'nurses' were helping kids into doctor's coats for the 'rounds'.  Cailin wasn't brave enough to put a coat on.  She was extremely shy, but managed to drop my hand long enough to take a teddy bear's blood pressure and temperature:

 There was a big bear that had the "flu" and needed a cuddle and his temperature checked in both his mouth and armpit.  She wouldn't let go of my hand:

Carter was all snuggly in the stroller and did doze off here and there because it was naptime.  He liked the Teddy Bear Hospital too and was pretty friendly with the nurses.

We looked at the big decorated trees that were entered into the decorating contest.  There was some fantastic entries.  Cailin just looked and looked and looked.  So did Carter.  I wish I had gotten a picture of the trees.

Next we wandered over to the craft booth and decorated some gingerbread men:

Cailin had a riot and spooned so many sprinkles onto her cookie.  We made one up for Carter too.  At that point I figured we had been there long enough and everyone was feeling brave enough by now to ... MEET SANTA!  I would be wrong on that point, naturally.

I pulled Carter out of the stroller and smoothed his hair down.  Cailin immediately vaulted into his vacant spot and did up the seatbelt.  No way was she meeting Santa.  Santa is scary!  And forget a picture, she wasn't going anywhere near him.  We stood in line and I let her watch the proceedings without comment.  Carter was amazed by the blue trees nearby and told me lookit lookit! and pointed to so many things.

Finally it was our turn.  I told Cailin that Carter and I were going to have a picture done and she could come with us if she wanted, but that she didn't have to.  We would put the pic on Nana's fridge when we were done.  The 'no pressure' sales pitch worked.  She whipped off the seatbelt and joined us.  I put her on one knee and Santa took Carter.  Carter eyeballed Santa and put his blanket on his head and played peekaboo with him.  Then he lounged in Santa's arms and pulled his blanket up to his nose to fall asleep.  Santa had to keep pulling his blanket down so we could see Carter's face.  I held Cailin close and hoped she at least looked at the camera.  And hoped my lovely double chin would not be too visible, ha.  Santa asked Cailin what she wanted for Christmas.  Whenever we ask her, she replies with,  "A Christmas tree and lights." So I told him that.  He told me that Carter is an awfully friendly little guy and wished us a Merry Christmas.  On our way out of the photo area Cailin handed me a big booger.  Sometimes there isn't even words for that kind of thing.

While we waited for the picture to be printed, we wandered over to the super secret kid-only shopping booth.  It was super cute inside, and no adults allowed.  Well, Cailin wasn't going for that so I snuck in and hoped I would blend in.  Ha ha, I really didn't.  But Cailin found these lovely bells for her and Carter to ring:

The idea of that booth is for kids to go in and buy presents for their parents without them there.  Very cute idea, and the volunteers were so friendly and helpful.  The lady at the till laughed at me, "Hey, you're an adult!" She said it was okay to be there.

We walked around the venue a few more times to make sure we had done and seen everything.  It was then that the entertainment started on the stage.  Dancers came out and danced to neat music.  There was classic ballet, hip hop and modern.  Cailin was really impressed by them.  Then there was a number with lively and catchy music.  Cailin started dancing all over the place and had such a good time.  I got video of it.

The last place we visited was the mini Christmas tree area.  There were so many of these tiny and perfectly decorated trees.  Cailin's favorite was the Sesame Street one.  I liked one with owls on it.  There was every conceivable theme, from little plastic dinosaurs to a tree decked out with baby socks. I think we should decorate a little tree for Cailin's room to use as a nightlight.

I got them both back into their coats and ready to go outside.  Finally our picture was printed and I went to collect it with a dancing Cailin in tow and a sleeping Carter in the stroller.

Ready for it?

Seriously best five bucks I ever spent.  Carter is lounging and Cailin is about to pick her nose.  So that explains the booger.  Ew, ew, ew.  Yes, that's my princess.  This picture is now on our fridge and I will treasure it forever.  It will remind us of what a good day this was.

The day wasn't quite over yet.  Cailin knew there were sleigh rides and wanted to see the horses so badly.  I wasn't sure what to do with the stroller, but they let us put it on the wagon and take it with us.  Carter laughed going over bumps and then fell asleep.  Cailin enjoyed herself thoroughly, and I'm sure this was the favorite part of her day.  It was cold, but I wrapped Cailin in a blanket and Carter was toasty in his stroller.

I knew the driver, so he took us on a long ride around the park.  At night, they light up all the displays and it's so pretty to see.  It was still neat in the daylight.  There was a gentle snow falling, and frost on all the trees.  The horses were gentle and huge.  And gassy but no one will hold that against them.  Cailin didn't even comment when one pooped in front of her.

She asked me all sorts of questions about the horses and wanted them to neigh for her.  They didn't say anything at all, but they listen so well I was amazed.

It was peaceful listening to the horses' hooves clopping along and Cailin's sweet little voice exclaiming over all the wonders she was taking in.  Carter slept soundly.  When we got back to the building, she got out and petted the horses' noses and told them what good horsies they are.  She absolutely loved them.  I picked her up and held her close so she could get a good look at them.

Then because it was cold out, we went back inside and walked through the building to other side where the Jeep was parked.  Cailin didn't want to leave very badly.  Once we got home though, we broke out the gingerbread cookies and had a snack.

Carter was thrilled to get a cookie.  He called it a cracker and ate the entire thing.  He picked the sprinkles off and ate them and ooh'd and ahhh'd all over that cookie.  He was so tired he went to bed at 5pm.

Cailin ate only the head off her cookie and is saving the rest for later.  She opted for a whole wheat bagel instead.  Crazy kid!  She fell asleep on the couch and I woke her up as soon as I noticed.  I was so busy keeping Carter awake until 5 that I didn't know she had dozed off.

What a perfectly lovely day we had.  I want my kids to have the best Christmas memories of their childhoods and I think we can safely say this day will be one of them.