If one ever finds themselves driving around Anchorage looking for a parking space, in a pickup truck no less, I say GOODLUCK. As we made numerous laps, Ava repeatedly saw all the fake stuffed bears out on the sidewalks meant to lure people into the souvenir shops. It wouldn't really be noteworthy except that she is in that repeating phase where she mercilessly says the same phrase over and over again without taking a breath or even stop to hear me respond. Ackkkk!
We finally found a spot and were off. We got to Ray's Camera Shop (the folks hosting the meet and greet) and see 4 hay bales out front but no santa or reindeer. I entered the store already wondering what was up. I greeted the two women at the counter and informed them why we were there. They looked at each other and one of the girls said "oh, yeah, well, the reindeer got tired and Santa's out back and out of uniform". Now I am the first to admit that timely is not a word that describes me but the flier said 12-4 and we were there at 2. I stood there holding Ava with my jaw open and not really sure what my options were. I felt like Clark Griswold at Wally World when he found out they were closed for repairs. Given our locale, chances were good that if I looked around the camera store I could have found a fake moose's nose to punch. Anyways the owner of the shop said that the reindeer was walking back to his house a number of blocks away but since they just left he would call them. I urged them not to as I didn't want to be responsible for further tiring a reindeer. Besides, who knew how Ava would even respond to it. As luck would have it they weren't too far and agreed to turn around. . Then the owner looked at his assistant and asked about Santa. I jumped in and said "thanks but not necessary. We can see Santa some other day". So a few minutes later Star, the tired reindeer came back, walking down 4th Avenue. At this point about 5 or 6 people from the store had gathered to see the look of wonder and amazement on little Ava's face when she saw the reindeer. I felt the mother of all anti-climax's coming on. I prompted Ava (who was playing in a mud puddle) to look. She did and cried out "moose!" which was cute. But as the reindeer approach she headed straight to the back of my leg saying "Mommy". I thanked the handler repeatedly and he kindly indicated it was no problem. He sat down on a hay bale with Star beside him. I sat down on a haybale with Ava on top of me with her back to the reindeer. We goaded, and prompted but no dice. She was not going to warm up to Santa's little helper. The handler even gave her a frosted mini-wheat to feed him which she kind-of, sort-of but not really got in his mouth so I tried to feed him but he spit it out. Twice. He was probably thinking "you're the pain in the ass that dragged me back here. It's going to take more than a frosted mini-wheat lady". A few pictures were taken while Ava climbed ever higher in my arms and people stood around and watched. They printed the pictures out and we were on our way. Funny thing, the whole drive back and every day since our encounter Ava has said "pet...reindeer...nose" and "feed....him" and to her the trip was a complete success.
That's a funny story...Ellie was similar when we went to see Santa. There was no way she was going to sit on his lap, and even slunk down in the stroller and wouldn't look at him, but when we left she was all smiles and excitement saying "We saw Santa!!!". Hmmmm.
ReplyDelete