Christmas Memory

Remembering some of my favorite Christmas memories this morning.  I only have to think back to last year, to have a good laugh.  
Mariah and I took our kids, ( her two, my three ) to  the Art Museum in Corpus Christi to walk through the Christmas Around the World exhibit.  I was reluctant, as sometimes I would rather pull nose hairs out than drag my kids through crowds all the while just dying to get to the end because the event is free and way to chaotic for my taste.  I said yes, this time though, and I'm so glad I did.

It was rainy and cold and we had to walk a long way to get from the car to the museum itself. At first I started to get a little grouchy about getting wet and having wet kids and then I looked ahead and saw our two daughters arm in arm ( BFFs) laughing their heads off as they rain through the rain and dodged puddles.  I realized  this could be fun, or it could be miserable. Mariah would always choose fun, and this is why I love her.  
Once inside the exhibit was surprisingly fantastic.  Each tree was decorated by a specific school in the area and represented a specific country.  There was a lovely, intelligent, impeccably put together lady at each tree that explained that country's Christmas traditions with wonderful animation.  Upon leaving I noticed the event was sponsored by the Jr. League and that explained the women!  
Mariah and I knew this was most likely our last Christmas to live in the same city.  This made the outing more memorable and we did everything possible to make the most of it , both for us and the kids.  We sat on Santa's lap and let the kids take our picture, and then before leaving the museum let the kids giggle at some of the more provocative art hanging around.  We sat on a bench away from them and laughed as we observed parents giving our kids disapproving glances.  Our kids weren't exactly shy about what they thought about the art. My oldest said rather loudly, " People pay to look at this?, Why don't they just look in the mirror after a shower, that's free!"  Over on the bench , Maria and I wondered out loud, " Whose kids are those?"  
We also paraded all the kids through a very small  coffee shop in the museum, because, the Mamas wanted/needed wanted coffee.  What would usually be a very frustrating experience became hilarious. The kids asked for every single treat in sight and then when we said "NO" we found all five of them gathered around the sugar/cream stand pouring sugar packets in their mouth while impatient grownups waited behind them to doctor their coffee.  
This year I am several hundred miles away from Mariah and I miss her companionship during this busy sometimes hectic time of year.  An outing like the one described is a great memory.  I'm so glad it was rainy, that we we let the kids be kids and that we chose fun over frustration.