The Professor, the Police, and Santa Claus

I can't stop giggling.

I am not sure I will ever be able to look back at this memory tonight and not have a grin cross my face that goes from ear to ear.

Tonight, the police on base got word that Santa might be landing over at the air strip. They needed some "help" listening for him, so they dropped off one of their police radios at every home on base with small children so they could assist in the Santa Watch.  While we waited, the Professor and I tracked Santa on NORAD.  I was about to send the restless Professor to bed when across the air waves we heard he had finally arrived!!!

The Professor started jumping up and down, eyes wide with excited wonderment and his hand covering his mouth as he squealed, "He's here, he's here!!!! He's really here!!!!!!!" The police were able to talk to Santa and count up all the reindeer. When they announced that Rudolph was with Santa, the Professor about passed out with joy.

While this was all delightful to witness, the best was yet to come.  Santa announced he needed to get on his way and so all the kids needed to get to bed so he could come to their house.

The Professor became a dizzying blur as he dashed up the stairs, made a cursory pass at brushing his teeth, dived into bed as he said his prayers AND the family prayers all while yelling, "Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!! Everyone has got to go to bed RIGHT NOW so Santa can come! Hurry, hurry, hurry!!!!"

Seriously. If I was ever in doubt of how fast that child can actually move when motivated, I am no longer.

Tonight will be one of my most treasured Christmas memories, courtesy of the base police and an exuberant 6-year old boy I call the Professor.