During my first decade of parenting, the consistent holiday tradition for our family was attending "Breakfast with Santa" at Good Samaritan Hospital in Downers Grove. Without fail, we coordinated our schedules to make sure we could always make it. We all loved it.
A new Teague-family holiday outing has occurred in consecutive years, and I sense a new tradition emerging that will hopefully last through my second decade of parenting: the Music Box Theatre Christmas Show in Chicago.
Last year, quite by accident, we found a fun place for dinner called D'Agostino's Pizza & Pub. It's busy and bustling with local families on a Saturday night, and the entire pub is decked out in festive Christmas lights and holiday greenery. I love watching the model trains circle over-head, but the real reward for me is their super-thin crust pizza.
After dinner, a short two-block walk to the historic Music Box Theatre for their annual Christmas Show (now in it's 31st year). Having attended last year (and witnessed local traditions), we arrived in 2014 prepared for lots of audience participation. For Miles and Emery, that meant sleigh bells for the "audience participation" moments of the film. For me, it meant stopping for Music Box popcorn before taking my seat. For Kristen, it meant importing several tiny bottles of vino in her purse to help make the "season merry and bright."
I think you'd have to lack a pulse to NOT be swept into the Christmas spirit at this event. Beginning with the Chicago Chamber Choir's caroling as you enter the theatre … to the full audience sing-along (led by Santa who sits atop the pipe organ like a lounge singer draped over a piano) … to the audience-participation viewing of "It's A Wonderful Life" (hissing every time Mr. Potter is shown on screen, and ringing bells every time Clarence the Angel speaks or is on screen) … it's really a fun night.
I really hope we can make it back next year!
