Fa-la-la-la-la

There was an awful long stretch there, for a few weeks in the fall, when it was too cold to be outside (for tropical girls like me, anyway) and not much by way of indoor happenings to speak of.

That's over.

Our weekends are getting packed with seasonal events - some are even free!

We kicked it off two weekends ago with "Twas the Night before Christmas" at the Stages Theater in Hopkins. Highly recommended, and tickets ($13 for kids, $15 for adults) are about half that of the Children's Theater. Zoe, 5, sat at the edge of her seat and stayed there the whole time. Maya, 3, snuggled on my lap and took a little snooze halfway. Both proclaimed it The Best Show they had ever seen. And yes, they've seen quite a few.

We also hit the Macy's downtown's display of "A Day in the Life of an Elf." "Back by popular demand," Macy's proclaims in brochures. Hmmm. More like, back because they probably can't afford a new display in this recession. Nevermind! It was worth another twirl through, despite the very, very, very long lines. Oh, and it's free.

(Important tip: Do not, whatever you do, park at the NorthStar building, or you will be charged $13 for three hours. Ouch. No, I don't know where you should park instead. Suggestions welcome.)

Another fun freebie show last weekend was the Edina High School Chamber Singers at the Galleria Mall in Edina. They started singing just outside Big Bowl and proceeded through the mall, stopping in front of Gabberts before making their way to the other end by Barnes & Noble. Extra fun if you have kids who enjoy tagging along for the whole show.

We've just bought tickets to the Trashy Little X'mas Show this weekend, thanks to a recommendation from Cribsheeter Sherry, who's gone in previous years. It had this enticing blurb:

"Santa is in the red — still! Times are tough at the North Pole. He laid off 15% of his elves. He made a list and checked it twice, but he defaulted on the sub-prime boys and girls. He foreclosed on their wish lists. You better watch out! You are getting a Credit Voucher in your stocking!"

(Hmmmm....this better be good, Sherry...) No, we're not subjecting the kids to Lee's Lounge and Liquor Bar. We're going to the family matinee version at the Cedar Cultural Center.

Oh, the fun never ends. Just driving around the neighborhood looking at Christmas lights is enough to elicit excited exclamations of "Pretty!" from the two munchkins in the back.

Finally, there's this Strib list of free events including the Holidazzle Parade on Nicollet Mall (which I can take or leave, but the kids love it, and I guess that's what matters. Right?)