I couldn't have planned it better myself!

A little bird told us that Santa was going to be in Bangor on Saturday - so we told Lexi :). We headed down to the mall and arrived at 9:30 - thinking we would be sneaky and be an early rising family and not have to encounter the lines. Well, we didn't encounter lines - because Santa apparently sleeps late on Saturdays and wouldn't be arriving until eleven. :)

We shopped around the mall for an hour or so and returned to Santa's village area to see if a line had formed. Well - again, no line ... but you know what we did find!? SANTA - and he came right over to Lexi and Cate, sat down on the floor outside the village area and talked with them for over five minutes!!! :) Lexi was beside herself - and Cate, the diplomatic gal she is, walked right up - touched his hand and sat down cross leg to give him her full attention. :)

Santa talked with them both exclusively for a bit - told them some stories, told them the importance of patience this time of year etc etc etc. I wish I had my camera - it was too cute :) He was in his finest - thick red velvet suit, leather boots with "S" buckles, a fancy cape and a very very real set of whiskers and white hair. He was lagit :) and Lexi and Cate were thrilled to have some one-on-one time with the old man from the North Pole :)

(a photo of Santa at Bangor Mall - see - pretty legit huh?)

After our mall excursion .... we headed to Home Depot to check on some lighting for our dining area. As we were walking in, we noticed tons of kids leaving, with balloon animals, hats etc and painted projects. While heading to the lighting department, we happened upon the area they were having the festivities for the kids in Home Depot and Lexi and I headed to check it out. Lexi and Jay put together a wooden serving tray and she and I spent some time painting it while Cate was entertained by the clowns and dozens of balloon 'objects' they were making for her :) lol. We left WITHOUT lighting - a $.25 outlet cover and two VERY happy kids, with their arms full of balloon flowers, hats and snowmen :).

Our Saturday morning plans took a different turn - we encountered surprise after surprise and enjoyed what could have been a very stressful morning caught in the holiday traffic and crowds with some very special events you think were planned just for my girls :)

Seriously, I couldn't have planned it better myself!!