Yesterday was quite the fun and busy day for Mason.  In the morning Mason and Melanie met Santa for breakfast as I was training the newest employee at the hospital…Grammy.  Once I got home and showered up, Mason was already revved up and ready to go.  At the Northpark Mall there is a Santa that has been there for the past 15 years and has had quite the following.  We got there around 11 am and received number 165.  Imagine my dismay as I looked at the number “now serving” screen that was set at 18.  The line manager told me to come back around 3 pm and our number should be ready. 

At that point I was thinking there was no way to waste four hours with a four-year old in the mall and so the picture wouldn’t happen.  So we wandered away and found a small orchestra playing away and Mason was more than happy to stand and watch for an endless amount of time.  In fact, it was me that was ready to go and find something to eat.  On our way to the food court we stumbled upon the movie theater and decided a lunch of popcorn and pizza at the movies was in order so we sat down and enjoyed the Princess and the Frog.  Pretty cute movie with great jazz music, that Mason was quick to dance to…I think he definitely got the desire to dance from his mom…at least dancing sober that is.

So by the time the movie was out it was around 2:30 and we headed back to Santa to find that they were only up to number 88.  This Santa is one popular dude.  Anyway, after hanging around and chatting up the line manager we some how finagled our way into the line and by 3:00, we had our picture with Santa.  No flirting required on my part and no need to pull the “cancer card” either.  Just pure goodness of the line manager.  The holiday seasons are alive and well!

The rest of the day was spent building a couple of lego guys at the lego store, buying some new shirts and sweaters for Mason and then just wandering aimlessly as two guys are known to do.  It was a great time to spend all of this time with Mason and the only thing that would have made it better is if baby brother was there to slow us down.  Definitely next year!