This afternoon, Sidney and I enjoyed a very unique opportunity to really get in the holiday spirit like never before. My brother works at the Northeast Youth Center, a facility that provides a sanctuary for kids in the Spokane area. Late last week he asked if Sidney and I would like to provide a Yuletide surprise to the children.

As I have written about before, I never pass up a chance to play Santa Claus. Also, if you remember correctly, I purchased an elf costume earlier this month for a work meeting. With Glen well aware about both of these things, he asked if Sidney and I would want to dress up and come to the center.

This is us before we left the North Pole and went to the Northeast Youth Center.

He didn’t need to pull my arm. Sidney politely agreed.

Santa and his elf appeared at the Northeast Youth Center at 4 p.m. We were ushered inside and greeted all the happily Christmas-fever induced children with a joyful greeting from Myrtle Be…I mean the North Pole. The kids were delighted at this unexpected visit!

We appreciated Glen for allowing us to come to his work and hang with the kids.

We then sat down in two chairs to read the group Christmas stories. As Sidney reads to her second grade students for a living, she naturally was the one who read the two books we selected in advance, “Snowmen at Christmas” and “If You Take a Mouse to the Movies”. We had a terrific audience and Sid did a great job.

Sidney did a wonderful job reading to the kids.

Before Santa and his elf returned to the sleigh, we passed out candy canes and mingled with the kids. However, with the reindeer outside starting to get restless, we soon had to depart.

After the reading was finished, the kids enjoyed a meet and greet with Santa.

I personally do a lot of things to get myself and others in the Christmas spirit. But today’s activity was a first. I thank Glen for the opportunity to go to his workplace and have some fun. Now even more fun awaits tonight. We are off to enjoy our annual Christmas Eve Eve celebration at a couple of our favorite local watering holes (after we take off our suits). Don’t Blink.