It’s that time of year again, my work hosted another kid’s Christmas party. If you read my post from last year, CLICK HERE you’d know it’s an annual thing. This year was our second year attending, and it might be our last. The party is for kids ages 12 and under. I signed the kids and myself up, because they loved it last year. There was a magic show, some small gifts from Santa, and even a professional picture with Santa. I was finally able to get a professional family picture of the kids and I… even though Santa was part of it. I can’t complain it was taken in a professional photography studio, and the best part was it was free. 🙂
This year things were different, as soon as we got upstairs we had to “sign in” at a table. Understandably they needed to confirm that our names were on the list. Then I noticed a bunch of chairs set up outside the room, and they told us the parents wouldn’t be allowed in the room during the magic show. Slightly annoyed I sent the kids into the room, I didn’t want them to miss out. The people in charge had set out some snacks (chips and juice boxes) for the kids to grab. We sat in the adult area, and watched our kids through the glass window.
It wasn’t until they told us they’d be shutting the door to the room, that my inner mama bear got angry. We weren’t allowed in the room, and our children would be in there with the door shut. I wasn’t impressed one bit, it wasn’t because I couldn’t hear the show. It was because they were basically telling us we couldn’t be with our kids. Last year we were allowed in the room to watch the show, the magician told us we were allowed to take pictures but no videos. It seemed reasonable, but there’s always that one parent that doesn’t listen.
Someone kept continuously taking pictures of the magician, you know what I mean… the person that has their flash on and snaps a million pictures in the span of two minutes. Of course the magician stopped the show, he addressed the parent telling them he didn’t mind them taking pictures. But could they please not take so many, and turn the flash off because it was making him uncomfortable.
Despite him telling this person his concerns they kept snapping away with their camera, it got so uncomfortable that they had to take the parents camera away/tell them they had to leave.
Since it was the same magician this year, it wasn’t a surprise we weren’t allowed inside. He was probably worried he’d have a repeat of last year. I can’t say that I blame him, but it was annoying not being allowed in the room regardless.
Before the magic show began, the kids were each allowed to decorate a cookie. That’s something they didn’t have last year, it’s also something I would have loved to do with the kids. However since the magician was setting up his show, they wouldn’t let the parents in the room. I’m not sure if the kids noticed, but despite not being able to hear we noticed the magician preformed the exact same routine he did last year.
Not impressive at all, the only difference was at the end. He blasted some music and got the kids to do a jumping/dancing thing for five minutes, while they waited on Santa to arrive. As soon as Santa got there they told the kids to line up to go and meet him for a picture.
There was no professional photographer, no magical set up. All they had done was set up, a cardboard backdrop in the corner right outside of the room. It was a complete downgrade from last year. As soon as the kids got there turn to see Santa, we were told we had to take our own pictures. Thankfully I had my camera, but they were rushed along just as quickly as they had seen him.
Instead of getting Santa to give the kids their little gift bags, they were given by one of the staff members in bags labelled “Girl” and “Boy”. It wasn’t exactly the magical feeling the kids got like last year, thankfully there’s always the Bass pro shop Santa to go see.
Something that I thought was neat, that they had this year that wasn’t there last year was glitter tattoos. Such a simple process, but the kids loved them the kids got to choose from nine different designs. The lady doing the glitter tattoos asked each child where they wanted their tattoo. She started off by wiping the area they picked with an alcohol wipe, then let it dry quickly. Once the child picked their design she put a disposable design stencil thing on the spot they picked. Then she asked them what colors they wanted. They were allowed to pick two different colors, for their design. Once they decided on their colors she took a special type of glue, and put it on top of the stencil followed by their choice of colored glitter.
I’m so glad that Emilee was able to partake in it, a lot of people think that three is too young for that type of thing. I personally think that it should be based on each individual child. Emilee is really good when it comes to sitting still, especially if she knows she’s going to be getting something pretty from it. I’m glad she didn’t have to miss out, on another note I’m bummed out that my camera deleted Zaden getting his glitter tattoo done. 🙁
Each of the kids decided to get their glitter tattoo done on their forearm. I guess they wanted to be like me with their tattoo. 😛 Keera picked Santa Claus, with some pink and purple glitter. Zaden got a Gingerbread cookie with a bow tie in gold, and red. Then Emilee no surprise got herself a penguin with purple and blue glitter. It’s cool to see the different designs they all picked. I truly think that the glitter tattoos saved the night, and we’ll see about next year I hear it’ll be the same magician. 😐