Red Rudolph Run

23 ... 31 ... 48 ... 50. Those were the numbers each of us guessed while we sat in the car on our driveway preparing to leave on our annual Red Rudolph Run last night. Snuggled in their new Christmas pajamas and their fuzzy fleece blankets, the kids had pencil and paper ready to make tallies in the backseat. The evening's goal: to travel the neighborhoods in search of reindeer decorations that have red lights on the tip of the nose to signify Rudolph ... and a chance to see all the neat holiday decorations.

Our first stop? Of course Starbucks. The evening travels would not be complete with out a warm drink and a treat for all in hand. Then we were off with the added bonus this year of the snow falling during our entire trip! After living in the same city for thirteen years, we pretty much have our route in place, backtracking just a few to catch up to the new housing growth.

Why such high numbers? Because last year we reached 38 tallies and my daughter won by one tally from my husband to get the closest to the final count. This year, however, we were down in numbers at 24 (I guessed 23). And we were stuck at 12 for the longest time, we only caught the remaining 12 in the last neighborhood (the country club we are connected too always comes through for us). In addition, we were surprised that it took three neighborhood travels to reach our first three. Numbers were low this year.

My husband thought it a good idea next year to create a note to start a Red Rudolph Movement, to include a red bulb in a Ziploc baggie, and hang them anonymously on doorsteps. My daughter, being the safety and rule abider that she is, protested that "Everyone is free to decorate how they want, Dad! No, we can not do that. They like the way they decorate, we can't say anything!"

So secretively I will use my blog forum to spread the word. IF you have a reindeer in your front yard, I ask that you just replace the white bulb for a red bulb on the tip of his nose. You just never know who may be out searching on a family Red Rudolph Run and cheering in their car for your tally!