Reconstructing Reality

Yesterday there was a function at Scott's office that involved many fun things for kids: face painting, Santa, life-sized snowmen, Rudolph, fire trucks, etc. As soon as we arrived, Hannah saw Rudolph walking around and she went into panic mode. When Frosty appeared, her terror doubled. She wanted to be picked up and carried around, but settled instead for clinging to my leg and whimpering. She wouldn't go near Santa and wanted nothing to do with the face painters. Fine. We had some snacks, watched a bit of "Frosty" on the big screen and then got ready to leave in order to be home in time for lunch and naps.

Strangely, as soon as Hannah was safely buckled into her car seat, she "remembered" that she hadn't gone in the fire truck. And she wanted to. She also realized that we'd "forgotten" to get a star on her cheek. "Those girls" were painting pictures on cheeks and she wanted a star... how come she didn't get a star, mom?

By the time we got home, she was excitedly telling me all about Rudolph at Dad's office, like he was her favourite part of the day instead the frightening monstrosity that had reduced her to a puddle of despair.

So, in the end, through her distorted recollections, I guess she had a good time after all. (Strangely reminiscent of the time we stood in line for 30 min. to ride a pony and then she refused, but talked about her pony ride the whole way home...)