Jingle Bells Batman Smells

I absolutely, without doubt , love this time of year. The air is filled with so much anticipation. Anticipation about shopping and finding the deal of the year or at least a parking space somewhere within a mile of the chosen shopping center. Anticipation that it might snow on Christmas Eve. Anticipation to listen to my favorite Christmas carols which I have been trying so hard not to tune into until after Thanksgiving. Anticipation of going to the basement and dragging out storage containers full of ornaments, stockings and snow globes. Anticipation that if you cross your fingers just right last year's lights when plugged in will work.
This year we decided to even throw a 2nd Grade Holiday Party. There was much anticipation how this would all work out. Nike Girl wanted to invite each of the 19 children. I agreed, as it is a busy time of year, maybe half could make it. As the RSVP's arrived slowly,  I realized everyone could make the party. Wow, this is great, right?
My anticipation grew as the party came near. I had planned to the minute that in two hours, the group would  make a holiday banner, play flashlight candy cane scavenger hunt, participate in a small gift exchange, then carol in the neighborhood to collect food pantry items, then come inside to end the evening with cookie decorating and snacks. Deep breath. Martha Stewart for Kids plans parties like this, right. Oh what fun! I found myself repeating this phrase three times while clicking my heels together.
The night arrived. The anticipation grew. In they marched one by one. Within minutes, the noise level grew, the tumbling over couches began, the screaming of girls chasing boys started, the I'm hungry why can't we eat now started, the can we play football in the living room started, the is it time to open gifts yet started....The questioning of what was I thinking, started. This is going to be a long two hours. I gave a deer in headlight look to three mothers who agreed to stay. They were so calm. So experienced looking. Deep breath.
The craft was fun for the girls and the boys loved the candy cane scavenger hunt. I noticed the boys all stayed in a different room than the girls. Every once in awhile a boy or girl would run across the front room crossing sides to stick out their tongue then retreat back to their safe side. I was simultaneously having two parties at once. One for the boys and one for the girls. Mental note, coed parties probably over at this age.
We exchanged gifts as I read Twas the Night Before Christmas. Then we piled on our winter wear. This was the part I had anticipated most. I had never been caroling. I imagined the quartet singers with old fashioned wardrobes singing acapella with perfect pitch at everyone's front door. In actuality, it was nothing like that. Surprise. The kids were so excited and so energized they couldn't even stay on the sidewalks, they stomped through the neighbor's yards, belting out Jingle Bells with a Batman smells thrown in once in awhile, over and over again. Each doorstep the children collected canned goods then hurried to the next door. As we were returning to our home, out of nowhere, the neighbor's sprinklers turned on soaking everyone. I was speechless. Really really speechless. The kids screamed and ran home to count the number of items they collected for the food pantry, then finished up with hot cocoa and decorated cookies while their coats and hats dried. What a memorable night! Deep breath, again.
Later that night, I reflected on the Holiday Party. I didn't anticipate the night to play out quite like it did. I wasn't really shocked that the carpet had hot cocoa stains on it in the end, or that all the children would be soaked in 35 degree weather (ok a little shocked on that one), or that Jingle Bells Batman Smells is their favorite tune. What I was not anticipating was the excitement I saw in their eyes when they found out they collected over 50 items for a food pantry to feed other families. They truly were excited! This made me stop and think. Lesson learned...Life is so full of unexpected surprises especially when you least anticipate it!
Peace.
The "New Balance" Girl

Running Report: Ran on the trail a few times since last post. Seem to be on the treadmill more these days. I do know on Sat. morning after the party, I ran on the treadmill, and could not get Jingle Bells Batman Smells out of my head. It actually makes a good beat to run to. Have a good day full of anticipation and surprises!