I started off my Christmas celebration dressing up as Santa’s Helper for the last Chair Dance class before the holiday. My instructor, dressed as the iconic Jack Skellington from “The Nightmare before Christmas,” was the only other person in costume. Although I usually video my weekly chair dance routine to mark my progress, I normally don’t text the link to other people. Yet when I make the effort to dress up for class, then someone other than my parents will see that clip.
Santa’s Helper and Jack
Five days later, an even greater adventure began. Seven family members and I went indoor skydiving on Christmas Eve with my octogenarian parents witnessing. One of my sisters and I treated the family to this experience as an alternative to materialistic gifts.
Sign of Adventure
One Christmas miracle was that the ten of us left the house fifteen minutes later than we’d planned, in two cars and still arrived much earlier than we needed to. Even after weighing in and signing wavers, we could have made the 2:30 PM class except it was already full.
The Crew’s Entrance
The only glitch to the entire experience occurred when we were checking in. At no time did the salesperson tell me that the group package that we purchased didn’t include a high flight. Not really a bait and switch, but the biggest appeal was that the package was the most affordable for that number of people; so, once we arrived, the upselling began. At the end of some awkward discussion, we concluded that we didn’t need to fly high on our first venture.
North Pole Scene
Since we’d arrived an hour ahead of time, we enjoyed watching a father and daughter practicing higher-level skills. Then, the 2:30 class provided a more realistic demonstration of what we’d do.
In Flight Suits
About 15 minutes prior to our reservation time, our trainer asked us to meet him at the desk to receive our flight suits, helmets and other needed attire. The onesie was supposed to be baggy, but there weren’t any wing flaps like flying squirrels.
North Pole Setting
Once suited up, of course we took the requisite pictures in front of the iFly background and the Christmas display. Afterwards, we assembled into the classroom where we watched a short video, which emphasized the hand signals used in the flight chamber. Pointing up meant “chin up,” two fingers up meant “straighten your legs,” and the hang ten hand gesture meant what it always does, “relax.”
My Flight
Since this was my idea, I had to be the fearless leader and go first. I asked if anyone else wanted to go first, but no one had a burning desire to do so. Originally, I had the preconceived idea that there wasn’t a safety net. Once I saw the safety net, I wasn’t the least bit nervous. The air started flowing and I leaned into it with my arms raised above my head.
My Sister’s Flight
My sister, who’d jumped on the opportunity to pay for half and make this her Christmas gift to the family as well, went after me. They made accommodations for her to participate even though she was a whisper above the recommended weight limit. Instead of leaning into the air with her arms raised, she laid on the safety net without any air flowing and two instructors were in the chamber with her. Once the air flowed, the instructors guided her until she was airborne. From there, our main instructor guided her.
The Other Sister’s Flight
In the past, my other sister had arranged many different Christmas excursions, along with her husband. This was the first time that they were treated to a Christmas excursion themselves. Not only that, but they’d never tried indoor skydiving before.
My Niece’s Flight
This niece was the only one who had tried indoor skydiving before. She enjoyed it so much that she’d bought passes for her family, but they hadn’t used them yet. So, it was another Christmas miracle that two of her aunts had the family to try it out.
My Other Niece’s Flight
Full disclosure: I thought out of all of us who were flying that day, this niece would back out at the last minute. I credit her sister for being the biggest influence. Positive peer pressure, if you will.
My Nephew’s Flight
By contrast, I knew this nephew would be all over this experience. He’s the reason I wanted to try parkour. I’ve not gotten around to it yet– if ever.
My Other Nephew’s Flight
If this nephew was at all apprehensive about participating, he hadn’t say anything. As a matter of fact, when we were heading home, I asked him if he enjoyed the experience. He agreed. When I asked him if he wanted to do it again, there was a pregnant pause before he said yes.
My Brother-in-Law’s Flight
I knew my brother-in-law would jump on this experience. He doesn’t let anyone forget that he’s an athlete. His only complaint was that our excursion occurred on Christmas Eve. Normally, he cooks a huge delicious feast; so this adventure delayed his cooking.
Showing Off Our Flight Certificates
After all was said and done, my 82 year-old mother stated that she wanted to try indoor skydiving. Once she saw that we were guided by an instructor and weren’t bumping into anything, she felt that she’d be able to do it. Something to look forward to in 2023!
Christmas Morning Scene
Over the years, Christmas morning has become very mellow since the youngest “child” was 22. I had plenty of time to wake up, get myself together, and take a picture of the Christmas tree.
Protest Tomato Basil Herring Quiche
One unplanned thing before our gift exchange: being snaked into making muffin-sized quiches. When I’d made a similar dish the previous Saturday, Mom loved it so much that she said she’d make that for Christmas breakfast. Mom had bought only one ingredient for the quiches and paid one of my sisters and me to make them. I scavenger hunted the rest of the ingredients, complaining the entire time.
One Happy Customer
The other sister was the first to try them. Even though I made them under protest and with alternative ingredients, they turned out delicious. I’d spent nearly a year making different quiche recipes, mainly with a crust; so this hadn’t been too much of a stretch.
And of course no Christmas celebration wouldn’t be complete with out a Nana/grandson dance off!