Happy Holidays, eating my words... yummy, yummy!

I took the kids to the mall yesterday, after I picked them up from school. It was cold outside and I didn’t feel like going straight home. Sometimes the way my kids behave in public is so much more pleasant than the way they behave at home, and I felt like playing with my “public” kids. 

Our local mall has a food court that’s not too shabby and an indoor play area the kids love to explore. They also love to window shop, commenting excitedly on the decorations in the enormous windows. Especially during holiday times, when the decorations are more impressive than usual. 

Historically, I could be found happily perched on a soapbox, informing all good Americans that Christmas has no place in our lives until 12:01am the day after Thanksgiving. I would complain about holiday music too early in the season and roll my eyes upon finding Christmas ornaments on sale in early November. 

This year, however, I find myself becoming what I used to mock. I find myself eating my words. 

I can’t quite explain why, but the holiday season has hit me early. The music, the feelings of gratitude… you know… the big picture. I wasn’t expecting to see Santa at the mall so early, but we have been talking about him. We even take pictures of the presents they claim they MUST have, so we can email the pictures to Santa. Oh, and so mommy can go back and update Christmas wish lists with the pictures as an ideal reminder system.  

I wasn’t bothered at all when my kids ran over excitedly. I asked them, happily, if they wanted to go say hello to him and they ran up happily. (For the record, this is a marked difference from last year, when we got the mandatory picture of toddlers screaming in Santa’s lap. Not a pretty sight.) 

My son sat in Santa’s lap happily, but my daughter preferred to stand in front of him and chat his ear off, arms motioning excitedly as she told him all about all the characters in the Cars movie, and about how Mater has two teeth, “That silly Mater”.  Santa gave me “that” look, as if to say… “Wow, you got yourself a chatty one”. I just laughed and smiled back. “Yup, that I do.” 

My daughter did eventually sit in his lap and a photo was taken. It cost a small fortune, so I didn’t buy it, but I half wish I had because it came out beautifully. I just couldn’t bring myself to pay that much for a single picture. Even of my kids with Santa. Sigh. 

But the kids loved it, and I find myself wondering if the “Santa is watching” threat will hold a more concrete power now that they have met him. 

And so here I am, watching my reflection as I chew thoughtfully on my past words. I have become what I used to mock. And it’s pretty darn satisfying.