Skate with Santa

Last Saturday (12.15) we crashed the Skate with Santa party at the West Lafayette ice skating rink. Sydney is a bit young for skating so we were spectators. Here is Brian trying to help Sydney keep her cheeks warm.



Even though we were just watching the skaters, Santa (a skinny teenage boy in a Santa suit) skated to the side of the rink to visit Sydney. She enjoyed her introduction to the jolly man in the red and white suit and maybe next year she will be skating with him.



I wrapped up my Christmas shopping this week (he, he, 'wrapped,' get it?) and have resolved to start the retail process earlier next year.

My sisters and I exchange "Suggestion Lists" every year. We share suggestions, so the gift-giver has a better idea of what someone may need or want. We each keep saying we have too much stuff, and the lists help us with our selections.

The lists are also fun to read because I always learn something about my sisters. However, it's a guarantee that Jackie will list warm stuff, ie, fleece blankets, socks, hats, scarves, etc., every year. Based on Jackie's warmth stockpile over the years, you would assume she hibernates during winter.

While shopping for her last week, I found myself wondering what she would do if Christmas was not a winter holiday. I guess she would celebrate the winter solstice (which is tomorrow). It's amazing to think how different the holiday would be if it took place in August ...

Instead of buying scarf and hat sets for friends, would we give sun glasses and Speedos? Snowmen would probably not be so prevalent. What would replace them, ants? No more penguins or polar bears (this is foreshadowing global warming). Toucans and alligators would replace them. Gourmet cooks would pass on heating their ovens (no peanut brittle or fudge). Tomatoes would probably be a common gift and stockings would probably be filled with sunscreen.

I pledged I would start shopping earlier this year. Maybe I will hunt for gifts in June and surprise my family and friends with pool toys or Tiki torches. Those items would be fun to wrap.

Christmas during winter, especially when it snows, is magical. I wouldn't want it any other way ... but it is fun to imagine ... Here is wishing for a little snow Tuesday morning so Sydney can test her new purple boots.