The set up to see Santa was REALLY cool! Elizabeth waited at this little table coloring a picture for Santa while I stood in line. The boys went and raced cars to help pass the time.
Elizabeth was VERY happy to receive a candycane lollipop from Santa! Apparently that's WAY better than a candcane so I'm told.
Before leaving the mall, we wanted to try to wear the kids out a bit, so maybe they'd sleep in the hotel. Elizabeth rode the carousel and they BOTH loved playing in the big indoor playground. Neither took naps, sigh.
The Build-a-Bear was across from the playground. It isn't something we've ever done before, but daddy decided it would be fun, which is kind of unlike him!
Originally Elizabeth wanted to make a bright pink bear, but considering we have 5 thousand stuffed animals (and several bright pink bears) I steered her toward the Christmas ones. I figured we could maybe pack it away and get it out each Christmas. She picked Clarice from the Rudolph movie. We haven't seen it yet, though, so she kept calling her Grace instead!
Liam helped with the process--pushing all the buttons to see which sound he liked best.
While sissy was working on Clarice, he found this little stroller--with a doggy attached and walked it all around the store. He was very proud of himself and LOVED that little doggy.
I had no idea what all went into making a Build-A-Bear. First you press on a petal to get the stuffing to go inside the "bear" (or in our case a deer).
Then you put the heart inside.
Then you get to print off a birth certificate. While we did all that, daddy followed Liam around with his little doggy and stroller.
Since Build-A-Bear is kind of an "experience" we figured we'd let Liam make Rudolph next year when he can get more into it. Elizabeth may have been a little young as well. So far, her favorite part has been the box. She plays with that box all the time--lol!
That night our plan was to visit "Christmas Town USA" (McAdenville, NC). It is basically an entire town that does Christmas lights, and has been on all sorts of national TV programs for how cool it is. It is 5 minutes out of Charlotte, so we thought we'd go. We thought both kiddos would LOVE it since they always oooooh and awwwwe over every light they see when we are out driving.
When we got there, there was bumper to bumper traffic backed all the way up to the highway, and it wasn't moving. To top it off, both kids were asleep. So, we made the quick decision to turn around and go back to the hotel. Maybe next year.
Overall, we had a wonderful trip! We are definitely in the Christmas spirit, and can't wait to celebrate with family soon! :)
