Cookies with the Clauses

Yesterday was the annual Cookies with Mrs. Claus.  Every year prior to this one, it was hosted by Darigold.  However, Darigold closed their deli and visitor's shop this past year and so would not be doing the cookie decorating.  So, one day as Ryan and I were talking and throwing around ideas, we thought Ryan's FFA chapter should host this community event.  Of course back in June, it didn't sound like such a huge undertaking.  This last week, we really started to understand how much goes into an event like this.  But, we survived and have some experience under our belts for next year.  It's a good thing Ryan has "free labor" in the form of FFA members and students in class to get everything ready.  

The event started at 9:30 am.  When the kids and I walked in at 9:25, there was a bit of a crowd already.  Ryan and his FFA students had been setting up in the commons area of the high school since 8 am.  (Well, and a lot of Friday as well, for this and the Lighted Implement Parade.)  At the end, Ryan figured he had about 1600 kids come through, judging from the number of cookies left.

Ryan came over to say hi long enough to have a bite of Elizabeth's cookie.

 After decorating cookies, we got in line to say hi to Santa and Mrs. Claus.

We were very grateful that Santa came.  He blew out his knee Friday evening and spent all night in the ER.  So a HUGE thank you to him.  Incidentally, I now know the going price to hire a Santa for two hours- $300 for a non-profit event.  He was great though.  Mrs. Claus was a volunteer.

After saying hi to Mr. and Mrs. Claus, I walked around taking pictures.  Here is the food drive as you walked in:

 Some of our friends:

(The tall man below is Ryan's principal.  I don't know what they were saying exactly, but it looks something like, "How many kids are in here??!?"  And Ryan- "I told you we were expecting a lot.")

All told, I think about 400 pictures were taken, but I am not going to post all of them.  It was a huge turn out.  Next year, we'll count.

The kids and I left a little before 11 am to go to the park to run off some of that sugar.  We were back at 11:40 to help clean up.  We got home about 1:30 for lunch, with Ryan following at about 2.

Ryan, the Clauses, and (most of) the FFA helpers.