The Pink Pig and Santa

It is that time of year again. Ever since Ethan was a baby, Mandy and I have taken the kids to see Santa and ride the Pink Pig. It is something we look forward to every year. We usually go during the day, but Allie had school this week. So, we picked Allie up from school and headed up to Phipps Plaza. Mrs. Charlotte was with us and that was so so helpful. It is not easy with four kids at the mall. It was great to have the extra help!! I told Mandy we needed one of those ropes preschool teachers use to keep the kids in a line. You know where the kids hold on to the rope and the teacher leads them. Except, I think we would have needed to tie our kids to the rope!

Here is my best attempt at a group picture of the kids.

My girls were both so excited about seeing Santa. I wondered how Avery would do but, she did great. I don't think she looked at him, but she did talk a little. Allie just wanted to take him the list. She kept asking if she had to talk to him, but when she got up there she did talk. She told him all about her list and told him about Avery's list too. Ethan and Nina were so cute. Ethan looked like he felt right at home talking to the big man. Nina cried at first and then she was laughing. She was so cute. Now that we had seen Santa, we tried to get pictures for our Christmas cards. What a disaster! Allie was trying to be good, because she knows it is just easier to smile and get it over with than to fight it. So, she stands there with a fake smile. Avery still fights it. She refuses to look at the camera. So after a while of trying to get a good picture we gave up and went to ride the Pink Pig.

The Girls with Santa

Allie is telling Santa that she is 5 years old.

Allie is making sure he understands the list!

Avery and Nina

The Pink Pig was fun. The kids were so excited about riding it and that we were not making them take pictures anymore. (Well, not many more.)

After a fun night, it was time to take four very tired kids home. It was going to be a long ride back to Newnan, so what did we do. The Varsity! Mandy had the idea to get the kids milkshakes on the way home. It made them happy and quiet. We will definitely add that to the tradition next year!

"Who wants milkshakes!"

Allie after a fun night. She fell asleep with her pink pig on her lap.