The Sickies Visit Santa's Village

Santa's Village is a twinkling, music-filled, delightful Christmas wonderland. We have not visited since the kids have been old enough to appreciate it. Having been blessed with an unseasonably warm evening, we herded up our sickies and headed out for as much fun as we could handle. (I figured that even though our crew was not in tip top health, we would not contaminate the masses in an outdoor environment where we mostly kept to ourselves.)

O was so enthusiastic about all the fun activities. Here he is modeling a real firefighter's coat. I can't help but laugh at how it dwarfs Owie! How proud I was of this kid all night as he greeted and thanked the workers at Santa's Village. Even though he is so shy, he works hard to use his good manners.

A "sleigh" ride around the village.

Owen is inside the North Pole's television studio, being interviewed by a newscaster. The "show" is viewed on TV's all over the village. Owie closely watched the kids in front of him being interviewed and could hardly stand to wait for his turn. The man asked O what he really, really wanted for Christmas. After hearing so many children in front of him with long lists of high-priced toys, I was curious to hear what O would answer...especially since we had already finished our shopping! "Hmmm...maybe...uh...maybe a...football? A big football like Daddy's?" "Really," the guy asked. "Is that all you'd like for Christmas? Anything else?" "OH! YES!!" O shouted. "And a candy cane!" A football and a candy cane. I think I was glowing with love for this Boy from the inside out. Guess who got the biggest stack of candy canes at our house?

Patting the new baby puppies. This was definitely a highlight of our evening. Even Nosy, who was cranky and tired and not feeling so well, perked up at this point. I was too busy lifting No-nos up so he could pat the puppies to get a pic.

Owen and a random bear wandering the Village. Should we alert the zoo?

Inspecting the ornamented tree.


We were only there for about an hour, but it was so refreshing to venture out as a family to do something Christmas-y after being cooped up for so long. After this, it was back to The House of Halpin for a few more days of hibernation.