Kelso Kids: Nora's first parade and visit to Santa ~ November 29, 2013

Definitely a new tradition and a favorite of mine, the Macy's Holiday Parade. It almost makes up for taking away the 12 Days of Christmas window displays and the monorail....nah, I'm still holding that against Macy's. I miss Meier & Frank still. (Insert silent tear.)

A little stressful at moments but fun all the same, we headed out early (not a problem with our early riser) and hopped the Max towards Jamie's office which gave us the perfect view of the Macy's Day Parade. The game plan was to watch the parade and then go see Santa but we knew there was the possibility of meltdown because: A.) our child sometimes freaks out with crowds, B.) her patience is short lived and she has the attention span of a gnat, C.) my joy for the holidays is not matched by my family and D.) our daughter is a lot like her dad...which explains A thru C.

Ok, I love you mom but this is enough now
...seriously.

Yeah, ok. Hahaha, all done now.
Let go of me and stop already.

This is the part where she makes sure
I lock the door and have my keys. No foolin'. Pregnant mama is forgetful.

Torture time.

Seriously, lady.
Enough with the photos!

I'll sum this up. "Yay, train!", "How much longer?", "This much longer?"...and repeat.

She was getting too warm, the novelty of the parade had worn off for all of us, and I knew that the Santa float was coming up soon which would be the sign to all parents to dash to get in line to see Santa. We planned ahead and decided to go to Pioneer mall instead since everyone would be going to Macy's.

Up she went on to Jamie's shoulders and we marched down 4th Ave. back towards Pioneer Mall in the opposite direction of the crowd moving towards 5th and 6th to watch the parade end and hit Macy's. We sailed through the crowd with few hangups in foot traffic other than the random idiot or suburbanite unaware of their surroundings.

We lucked out and managed to get to the Santa display at the mall just as they were setting up and we were the 3rd group in line. I don't think I've ever timed something so well to avoid a toddler meltdown. I was quietly congratulating myself which meant I should have been paying attention to the inevitable Murphy's Law of parenting bitch-slap that was on the horizon...

Nora was not going to smile.

"Why are we sitting next to this strange man? He has facial hair and we don't know him? Why are people staring at us? Why do we have to do more photos? This sucks, mama. I don't like it...no, sir, I don't like it one bit."

Jamie and I look great in this photo so of course it was a dud.
They kept snapping and trying...I heard them saying, "Smile!" Manically from all directions. I knew what that meant. Shit.

The stress is evident on my face by the next photo. Even Santa was getting in on the act. Pointing and trying to redirect her to look at the camera.

It was Dad that saved the day. He began tickling her and shimmying her on his leg. A cheap ploy but it worked.

Side note, what was I thinking with this outfit? I look like Santa's knocked up mistress.

We could have given up.

We could have just stuck with the ironic photos and used them but we have so few photos of the three of us together and all of them are, quite honestly, awful. So between that and the realization that we were running out of time before little guy gets here and this might be our last chance to take a photo of just the three of us and we needed one for a Christmas card and I really was hell bent on trying to get her to like Santa... it was exhausting. I should have known better but I was really hoping that we could give her a memorable, magical moment of childhood. The harder you try the less likely that is to happen and I had lost sight of that until...

We finally had a photo of her smiling. Huge sigh of relief. Ok, time for lunch - what the?

Nora stopped to have a conversation with Santa. Even this poor dude was mystified as to our child's behavior and I'm sure he sees his generous share of cantankerous creatures. That's a sign that our child is unique for sure.

He offered her a coloring book and some candy. Nothing doing. She kept staring and refused to budge. She was taking her time studying him and talking to herself about what she was observing as if he was a zoo exhibit.

Jamie and I gently reminded her that it was time for lunch and that Santa was busy. We should thank him and leave.

She finally capitulated and agreed to leave. I think Santa really wanted a break after us but the line had backed up to the escalator by the time we were done. Sorry, Santa. Hope your regular gig is less taxing.

She politely said, "Bye, Santa, thank you." All sweetness and light with a wave.
He said, "Your welcome, sweetheart, Merry Christmas." With as much disbelief as he saw on our faces. She smiled with glee and perkily walked away with renewed energy. We almost made it back to the exit before she melted down.
She didn't want to leave her visit with Santa. Oi vey.

Lunch did not go well. The moment the food arrived we knew that we should have gone home. She was mutinous.

She refused to eat her grilled cheese. Our child listed cheese as one of the items she wanted for Christmas. When prompted to offer an idea for dinner she normally replies with cheese or pizza (the international conduit device for cheese). This was bad.

She didn't want her fruit or tomato soup. The contents of her fruit bowl went into the soup and she refused to look at either one of us or speak to us until we were done eating. When she did speak it was to say, "All done."

The milk was even shunned and this kid begs for milk all day long. We have to ration it to her and even then we go through a gallon every two days. She was pissed. Not the most relaxing lunch. We inhaled our food and headed for home.

But something magical happened, we were walking past the square and she spotted the tree that I had promised. No lights yet, no decorations, but it was there as I promised and the cool air perked her up after the stuffy restaurant and mall. She definitely is hot-blooded like her parents and easily gets overheated. That wait for the train changed her mood drastically. I even got the peace sign, twice. Then again, it was reversed but our child doesn't know what that means at this point...or does she?