The Nutcracker School

Last Saturday evening we packed bags, bundled the kids up and headed east toward Stone Mountain Park in search of their magical Christmas festival. Away we went, over the river and across 285 until Stone Mountain Parkway we came. Only to be told that the park was filled to capacity, and they were no longer letting people in for the day. What?!?! Was this a joke? We just drove 30+ minutes to find out that a state park was at capacity? Crap!

As we turned around (Bill none so pleasantly, I might add) Bill reached down below the center console and pulled out a beer from a hidden cooler! I laughed and he said, "for the ride home" and offered me one too. The kids immediately got whiny. We had to come up with Plan B... and fast!

So it was decided that we would head all the way back across 285 and over the river to a few miles north of our house. We would check out the Light of Life at Life Chiropractic College.

We had visited Life last year for their light display, though we only drove through campus without enjoying all the "splendid" activities. No avoiding them this year. The boys were bundled and ready for some outside action.

We pulled up to the activity area (and I use the word "activity" very loosely) to find a few glass windowed trailers with weird animation scenes inside. One featured an elf seemingly beheading a chicken and another showed a Santa Claus prone on his back on a table. I made the mistake of asking out loud "What is Santa doing?" and I was quickly given the answer with a huff by the man standing next me. "He's getting an adjustment." Now that was one I hadn't seen before and I swallowed my laughter as I walked on!

Lucky for us there were some scrawny ponies that needed a'riding for only 5 bucks apiece... rip off! So, the boys climbed aboard and waddled slowly around the sad little pony circle. WooHoo!

The absolute highlight of the evening was a visit with St. Nick. The boys had a chance to tell the jolly old elf (again!) that they are just dying for the Space Shuttle Mission Launcher thingy and a pair of Spiderman Jammies. We actually got a GREAT photo with Mr. Claus, and if I wasn't too lazy I'd go downstairs and scan it in for you dear readers. Maybe later.

After a full 15 minutes of activity (double that if you include standing in line to see Santa) it was time to climb back into the car and drive through campus. Life really does do a nice job with the display - complete with a water dragon emerging from a small lake! We drove along listening to carols, enjoying the lights and having a grand old time.

As we rounded one of the last corners we saw a giant set of three soldier nutcrackers lit up next to a huge "CHIROPRACTIC" earth. Brady immediately said "This is a Nutcracker School!" to which Bill and I clinked beers - more funny then he knew!

All in all, it was a wonderful Plan B!