Santa Claus is Coming to Town!

Santa has concluded his visit to Sturgis for the year.  Saturday, December 1st marked his arrival.  We started off our morning at Olivia's swim meet.  Andy had to leave it early to take his own team of swimmers out of town for their swim meet.  Olivia set another personal best in her backstroke.  Afterwards the girls and I headed home, hung out for a bit before get super bundled up.  Santa's arrival always means frigid cold weather in Sturgis.  For once in our lives we were overdressed.  It was a nice warm walk to the downtown.  We got there a bit before Santa's arrival and Nana was there to wait with us.  The line wasn't too long and it moved at a nice pace.  Mia is always excited to see Santa, but then hesistant to go near him or talk to him. 


This year she climbed right up on his lap without any reservations.  Olivia spoke up first letting the big guy know she wanted the Crayola Jewerly Botique and a zebra pillow pet.  Mia who had been waiting months to ask for a summer choo choo train (She got a Santa train last year at Christmas.  I put it away with the Christmas decorations, so she thinks a summer one she can have out year round) proceded to tell him she wanted an Ohio State pillow pet.  I made sure she also got her summer train request in before we said our good byes.


One of Santa's reindeer was in attendance as well.
 

The town also has two clydesdale horses pulling a wagon up and down the street, so the girls and I both climbed on for a short ride.  We couldn't have asked for more perfect weather.  Mia was without a nap, so I thought it would make for a long and grewling day, but we just had a terrific time together.

Various local business had events going on as well so we stopped in Great Lakes Chocolate for a Chai tea and then headed to Limelight Photography Studio (my friend Lauren's place) to see the animals and presenters there put on by the animal rescue fund.  I was asked to be a guest reader at Lowry's Bookstore, so we had Piper, Lauren's daughter head down with us.  We were also met by our friends the Lambs with four of their five boys.  I read Welcome Comfort by Patricia Polacco to a group of uninterested children, but we had fun none the less.  Kelli Lamb then read a story after me.  The bookstore also had ornament making, bracelets, and face painting.  After completing all they had to offer, we took Piper back and walked on home.

Stopping on our walk home for a pose at the lit up train.
 

Mia trying to feed the baby lambs that were at the park.

On our journey home Andy's school bus full of swimmers drove by us.  That meant I could drop Mia off at the pool and Olivia and I could drive over to Kmart to ring bells for the Salvation Army.  In the past when I've rang bells it's always been too cold.  The warm weather hung out for us.  Olivia was up well past her bedtime with me to ring bells, yet she was a trooper.  We serenade Kmart shoppers with off key singing of various Christmas carols that we often messed up lyrics on.  There was a bit of dancing at times.  Olivia really got into it.  I think it opened her eyes to the true meaning of Christmas.  About giving to others as God gave us his son on this magical holiday season.  Most of the visitors really enjoyed seeing her spirit shine.  We had many people requesting tunes.  Some people even left the store, but would turn around and come back to donate because they were so moved by her.  I wasn't sure how the night was going to go with her standing outside for two hours with me, but we made it memorable and truly enjoyed every second we spent together!  Our holiday season is off to a great start.  We hope the Christmas spirit is in all of your homes and hearts too.