A Visit with Santa

Madeline went to visit Santa Claus today at The Henry Ford museum. We got there around 10:30 and she was instantly amazed by the cars. Well, let me back up... on the way there, we passed a power substation and Madeline asked what it was. So, I told her. She wanted to know what it did. I told her it was what brought power or electricity to our house. When she turns on a lightswitch, that's power or electricity at work. Well, that turned into, the engine gives the car power, and onto pistons, etc. She was then very interested in engines and cars and seeing them. I said, "well, you're in luck, because we are going to a museum with cars and engines!" She was excited.

So, when we got inside The Henry Ford, she saw the cars and was torn for a second between getting a closer look at the cars first or making a card and reindeer at the craft station. We made the card and reindeer, completed a drawing form, then headed over to the cars. Unfortunately, I don't really know too much about them (just enough to say the wrong thing to an innocent little girl), but I was then saved by the gian locomotive standing at the end of the cars. Again, I was humbled, but a very nice lady came by and helped me out. Madeline was amazed by the size of the train, how they worked, the different cars, etc. She absolutely loved this museum! When Daddy got there, just a few minutes later, we ventured over to see Santa. While we waited for Santa, Daddy and Madeline became familiar with all of the planes and how they work. They even made a paper airplane that Madeline got to throw at a target, and she hit the second ring of the bullseye (from about 2' away on Daddy's shoulders).

We made it to Santa. Madeline was a little hesitant when we got close to the front of the line, but once it was her turn, she went right up and sat on his lap.
She was eager to let him know that she wants a camera for Christmas. He was very surprised by this request. Madeline couldn't leave Rudolph (the stuffed reindeer) at home when she was going to be visiting Santa, so of course, she had it with her while she sat on his lap. Well, he asked her what her reindeer's name was. Of course, she said "Rudolph" a bit perplexed. Santa realized his mistake, but unfortunately, couldn't take it back. He changed the subject by reminding Madeline to brush her teeth. Then, I interrupted by wanting a smile and that was that. Santa gave her a penguin to go with Rudolph and sent her on her way to the Tea Party Luncheon.

We made our way to the "courtyard" near the Round House and were seated for our luncheon. Madeline ordered Yummyberry tea, while Zak and I had Earl Grey and English Breakfast, respectively. Our tea came and Madeline was excited. She was even more excited when the two tier servers came with the finger sandwiches and desserts. Madeline was served a peanut butter & jelly on rainbow bread, cheese on raisin bread, and a strawberry cream puff, and a giant strawberry. We all had a scone with strawberry preserves and devonshire cream, a mini chocolate cream pie with a shortbread cookie crust and a chocolate stick on top. Zak and I were not given rainbow bread, rather cucumber sandwich and honey-walnut creamcheese on whole grain bread. A wonderful lunch.

After lunch, we went to see the model train exhibit. The museum had about 5 model trains running around a very elaborate track setup. Madeline was mesmerized. I had a flashforward to what my basement will look like in the years to come. Madeline even got to "run" a train on a much smaller track. If you're familiar with Thomas the Train, you will know how happy she was to be controlling Clarabelle & Annie. Thomas was in the round house for repairs, so they had a different engine, but Madeline was fine with that. If you ask her, she'll tell you that she even saw Annie flip off the track from going too fast around one bend. "Her wheels fell right off!" She was fixed in no time and back in commission.

We left the museum after a trip to the gift shop and one more stop at the model train exhibit at 2:00pm! We could have stayed longer, but Madeline had gymnastics at 4:15 and hadn't had any downtime yet. So, we will definitely be going back. I thought her Papa Brown and PopPop Boose would love to show her around this museum. They could fill her in on everything her Mommy and Daddy didn't know and then some! Madeline chose a train engine for her gift shop purchase, one that resembles the Polar Express (unbeknownst to her). I think she'll be talking about this day for a while!

Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer

Madeline has discovered Rudolph! One day we were listening to Christmas songs and Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer came on. Well, she listened to the song and began asking questions about it. She wanted to know the story of Rudolph. So, I explained to her that Rudolph was born with a very bright nose, you could even say it glows. The other reindeer made fun of his nose, called him names (what kind of names? I couldn't think of any.), and wouldn't let him play any of their games (what kind of games did they play? Like chase, hide and seek.). Then, on Christmas Eve a super big winter snow storm hit and Santa needed some help seeing through the thick snow. So, he asked Reindeer if his bright glowing nose would guide his sleigh so he could deliver all of the toys to all the boys and girls of the world. Well, the other reindeer heard this and decided that if Santa likes Rudolph, then they can too; he must not be so bad after all. Then, all of the reindeer let him play their games and they never called him names again.

We've discussed that story many, many times since that day. The people in Kroger got a lesson on Rudolph yesterday. She knows some of the song now, "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer has a very shiney nose, won't you guide my sleigh tonight!" There are a couple different versions depending on what she remembers when. So, yesterday I was able to find the CBS version of Rudolph and the Misfit toys on the internet. Well, she's watched it twice since yesterday afternoon and loves the Abominable Snow Monster (Bumble). This morning, however, she very groggily woke up saying the other mice wouldn't let her play with them. She was very distraught. I told her she was just dreaming, and I'm sure her friends would never do that to her. She shouldn't play with those mice again since they weren't very nice to her. She said ok, and went back to sleep.

Needless to say, Madeline is very excited about Christmas. The ornaments on the tree get rearranged every so often and the Days Before Christmas calendar is updated diligently, as well as the Advent calendar. I finally got her to leave the tree lights on all day (except when we go out) instead of turning them on and off whenever the mood struck. This is truly a different Christmas than any before.

Oh! The Rudolph stuffed animal Sue sent a couple years ago has become the toy to play with these days. Rudolph will say hi to Madeline and she'll say "I know a song about you!" and she'll start singing. Then, we take off for all of the houses of the world. Rudolph (and a Panda stuffed animal she found in the bottom of her tent) have been added to the necessary friends to be cuddled in bed at nap and night.

I guess that's all for now. In case you're wondering what she is doing as I write this... she is playing Library with her Daddy. She is the librarian and Daddy is the customer. She loves this game, and plays it often.

Phonecall

Madeline has performed yet another first. Yesterday, she picked up her play kitchen phone and called Daddy at work. Usually, when she calls someone on her phone, she wants someone else to pretend to be on the other end. Well, this time, she carried on a conversation with her Daddy. She told him what we bought at the grocery store; she asked him if he could pick up some hotdogs on his way home since we had forgotten them; he apparently told her that he wanted to use a Snowman plate for his dinner; and then she said "are you leaving soon?", he apparently said yes, because she said "oh, good." She was really excited when he called today, she wanted to talk to him (until recently, she hasn't really wanted to talk to anyone on the phone). So, she told him what she had packed to go to Grandma & PopPop's, then a lot of yes's and no's, then alright, and bye. If you ask her questions in a format demanding of an explanation, she could hold a conversation for quite a while!