Shaker Heights welcomes St. Nick

After bailing on a holiday party this past weekend that promised lunch, Santa, and presents (purchased by parents to be delivered by the jolly bearded one), Jeff and I decided that St. Nick's would be the perfect occasion for our sweet ones to receive their fifteen dollar presents.   In seasons past, the 6th of December came and went without the successful purchase of a small present to help ring in the season, so I was looking forward to what I hope will now become a yearly tradition.

As the children soaked in a bath full of bubbles, excitement mounted as Jeff enthusiastically retold the story of St. Nick and playfully questioned his impending arrival.  With their presents in place, and a quick jingle of bells the little lady and man were escorted to their room to get into their pj's.  As I listened to their anxious chatter, I could not help but smile as I awaited their joyful entry into the living room. I'm not sure who was more excited, the children experiencing their very first St. Nick's or Jeff and I as we encouraged and fueled the mystery and magic of the season.

The little lady was delighted to receive her very own mini Christmas tree with decorations, something she had been requesting since eyeing a friend's.  With each ornament that was carefully hung, her smile grew.  

The little man was very pleased to receive a toy ATM with an assortment of noise producing buttons to push. (I may already have buyer's remorse.) He is a button pusher that one.  He enjoyed swiping his tiny ATM card for all of five minutes until he dropped the minature card into the wrong slot, trapping it in the locked safe.  Thankfully, I was able to pry open the safe once he was comforted and put to bed.  

From playing secret Santa to successful bank robber, my night was filled with many memorable moments to cherish.