Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting

I don’t know about you, but events such as these often time comes with mixed emotions. So much fun, but so much stress that can be bundled up with them. Am I right? This was our first year here living in Folsom when Cooper has been old enough to appreciate a Christmas Tree Lighting. So, when I heard about it, I was immediately intrigued. Here was what was included in the advertising:

Christmas Tree Lighting

Folsom Christmas Tree Lighting Ceremony will take place Friday, December 3 in Histroic Folsom in front of the Chamber of Commerce at 200 Wool Street.  This fun packed holiday event will include a variety of activities for all ages such as horse drawn carriage rides, carolers, and a slight sprinkling of snow will be featured at the event. The ice skating rink will also be open.

Take the Free shuttle from Folsom Wal-Mart parking lot 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm!

- Complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides
- Hundreds of candles illuminating Sutter Street.
- Complimentary face painting
- Meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter Street. Bring your camera or purchase pictures at the event.
- Live Entertainment at the Corner of Wool and Sutter streets
- Dusting of real snow on Sutter Street
- Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies compliments of Costco and Mimis Cafe, being served in front of the Folsom Chamber of Commerce
- Christmas shopping with more than 30 stores open late
- Historic Sutter Streets Ice Skating Rink open
- Professional Ice Skating Shows at 6pm and 8 pm.

And…here’s a mom’s interpretation of what i read…

(mom’s thoughts in green)

Take the Free shuttle from Folsom Wal-Mart parking lot 6:00 pm to 9:30 pm! (Do I take the shuttle or attempt parking close?…and is a stroller in order?)

- Complimentary horse-drawn wagon rides (Cooper would love this, but will he wait in line for it?)

- Hundreds of candles illuminating Sutter Street. (Umm, open flames and a 2 year old? Ha!)
- Complimentary face painting (Yeah, can YOU get a 2 year old boy to sit still for this?)
- Meet and greet with Santa Claus in the Sutter Street Theatre, 717 Sutter Street. Bring your camera or purchase pictures at the event. (Because my son would LOVE sitting on some strange man’s lap while waiting patiently to get his picture taken, riiight!)
- Live Entertainment at the Corner of Wool and Sutter streets
- Dusting of real snow on Sutter Street (Okay, Cooper would undoubtedly love this…sold!)
- Complimentary hot cocoa and cookies compliments of Costco and Mimis Cafe, being served in front of the Folsom Chamber of Commerce (For about a half hour, until they run out of hot cocoa and cookies, right?)
- Christmas shopping with more than 30 stores open late
- Historic Sutter Streets Ice Skating Rink open
- Professional Ice Skating Shows at 6pm and 8 pm (Hmm, a possibility)

(Final thought…do I even bother inviting the non-social husband type? Or do I venture out on my own with son in tow?)

And…the experience itself…

Soo much to consider. And THEN…the time frame between nap and said event (i.e. 4-6pm…the arsenic hour) occurs. Perhaps about 10 tantrums ranging from the let down of not being able to hear the Polar Express narrated on CD again (for the 10th time today) to tears resulting from 2 year old child slamming his head on the ground DURING a tantrum. And I’m supposed to get dinner in this boy BEFORE attending said event?      Again, riiight!

A mom has two choices at this point, give up and stay home. Or get creative and make the event fun and memorable. There are many times when my energy level says, give up and stay home.

Tonight however? I chose get creative! We were having winter vegetable pot pie for dinner. So…mom put on an Academy Award winning performance convincing Cooper that he had hungry bugs in his mouth that were dying for bites of carrot, sweet potato, and celery root! He was convinced and happily ate pot pie in hopes that it would satiate the hungry bugs in his mouth. =)

We happily hopped in the car with Christmas music playing in the background. The debate was still on between whether or not to park and take the shuttle or attempt downtown, I attempted downtown and was at first, at risk of entering the grumpy zone. Thankfully, after 5-7 minutes, by the grace of God, we found a fantastic parking spot. No stroller, we’re giving it a go!

Within 50 feet, Cooper spotted a cop riding a horse and shouted out with glee, “HORSEY!!” Sigh of relief from mom, the outing is worth it.

We met up with some friends and our first joy of the evening was the “light dusting of snow”. Cooper literally ran down the street shouting with excitement, arms flailing in the air and all! Here he is taking it all in… Then, we headed down to where the tree lighting was to take place and nabbed some FREE hot cocoa and cookies. Guess what? They still had plenty left. Cooper enjoyed a rather messy green sugar crystal Christmas cookie. I know he looks a bit special here, but couldn’t resist the yumminess of the pic:Next, the countdown to the tree lighting, upon which Cooper burst out with clapping and “Yay!”(s). Seriously, melts a mom’s heart. Here’s the beautiful tree in the background (and the train that Cooper began to throw tantrums about because he could not ride).   Then, we waited in line for the horse drawn carriage ride, which wasn’t too terrible. Cooper was fascinated for the entire 5 minute ride!We were about to head back to the car, but it was now     8 o’clock and the professional ice skating show was just about to start.  And, what do you know? There was a spot for Cooper to squeeze into right at the front! My 2 year old son sat for 45 minutes watching the ice skating show! Which, I must say, wasn’t half bad. A bit long, perhaps, but there were definitely some talented skaters and the presentations were creative. I think Cooper and my favorites were a number done to a Polar Express song:…with all the performers in their pajamas except the conductor in the middle. And, the Grinch performance:  Again, Cooper followed up each act with clapping and enthusiastic shouting. Even the people surrounding us made comments about how adorable he is. Ahh…trip well worth any hassles involved!! So, an encouragement this hectic holiday season, if you can muster the energy and patience, you and your kiddos will most likely have fun. Just do your best to make the most out of the stressful bits in between.                   Merry Christmas!