Things to do with your Grand Kids this time of year!

One of the best things about this new stage of life is having a grandchild. Everything is new, exciting, and fun through his eyes. I can recommend visiting Lenox Mall in Atlanta, GA to ride the Pig Pink. What wonderful memories I have of this event as a child. However, this isn't the same experience of yesteryear! This train ride disguised as a pink pig is located on the second floor of the mall. Plan to dress warm because part of the line is outside. I would recommend bringing at least two adults. That way, if the line is a little long, one can hold your place in line while the other takes the children to the conveniently located bathroom and walk around in the warmer mall hall. Once inside the pink tent, you can opt to have your picture made with Priscilla (think Disney here). You can't use your own camera for these pictures and the photos are pricy, but you don't have to pay for them until after you see them (a bonus if your eyes were closed). Also, your child can just enjoy waving at the friendly pig, Priscilla, without feeling forced to take the photo or get too near her. The tickets to ride (I can recommend the game by the same name, too, but that is another story) cost $3 for most of us, but my 17 month old rode free. You can pay to ride multiple times without re-waiting in line for cheaper than $3 each trip, but for our age one trip (twice around the track) was enough. Only one adult fits on a seat, so make sure the adult riding with your Grand is sitting behind the other adults. That way it is easy to take pictures of him on the train (this is allowed). We enjoyed the pig story and watching the displays of pigs we passed while riding, but gone is the BIG Christmas tree. This was sad to me, but my grandson was having a blast. At the end of the ride, you can take as many as you want of the Pink Pig stickers. We took one to wear now and one for his memory book later. There is a small gift shop at the end of the ride where you can buy stuffed Priscilla's, but this is located off to one side and you can easily avoid it if your grand just has to have everything in sight. We left the ride and went to eat at the food court where several new restaurants have opened and our old favorite, Chick-fil-A, is still there.