Christmas Eve Eve

Christmas Eve Eve started very early.  Shortcake had to be at Macy's at 6am, so Santa could start seeing people at 7am.  The line exploded around 9:28am - right on time.  But we were short-staffed, so when the line exploded, it exploded.  We went up to a four hour wait, then got it back down to a 3 hour wait where it stayed until Shortcake left. 

We were so busy that elves were going five or six hours without a break.  Dewdrop left her house in tears because it had been five hours, and she felt faint and needed to eat.  Shortcake sent her back to scheduling, and had the Santa elf cover Photo.  Shortcake herself forgot to eat.  Santa and Spatula kept checking on her to make sure she drank water and ate.  If Shortcake had a break, she'd sit down for five minutes, then remember to take a bite, then get up and go back to work.  It got so bad that the next day, Santa brought Shortcake a water bottle. 

The most mortifying thing happened in the morning - Shortcake forgot Santa.  He sat for 30 minutes, waiting for Shortcake to come get him.  She's never done that before.  The worst part was, he was only remembered because Sprinkles went looking for Spritz who was with Santa.  Spatula said the look on Shortcake's face when she realized was priceless.  Shortcake was horrified at herself and apologized profusely to Santa.  Luckily, he understood, but, oh, Shortcake was disappointed in herself.

When some relief arrived, ie, more people showed up to give the early morning people breaks, Shortcake did leaps down the hallway and through the Santa room.  Leaps.  That's how excited she was.

Good stuff happened on Christmas Eve Eve too.  Shortcake's friends Lori & Drew came to visit Santa.  Drew was making a Christmas video for his family.  It's rather charming - check it out.  Krampus made bourbon balls; Santa and Spatula tried to convince Shortcake the bourbon balls were like her mushrooms to Mario.  You know, the power food that makes Mario super strong.  Shortcake had one.  And it was quite strong.

At Shortcake's other job, it Secret Santa reveal day.  She got pens (purple!) and a book about running (which is excellent, and Shortcake highly recommends it). 

It was Cider's last day.  When he arrived, Shortcake ran across the room and hugged him.  She finally knew what working the weekends were like.  Shortcake cannot praise Cider enough - they're like the power team of strawbosses.  If Shortcake could be teamed with Cider all the time, they could probably take over the world.  But alas.  The season, and their partnership, was over.  Until next year. 

Shortcake has not forgotten Genie.  She's the third leg of the strawboss triumvirate.  Shortcake didn't get a picture with her before she left, but Genie left a lovely Christmas card for Shortcake wishing her a Merry Christmas.