The Pink Pig... an Atlanta Tradition

Growing up in Atlanta, I always heard about the Christmas tradition of riding the Pink Pig at Richs at Lenox Mall. Growing up Jewish in Atlanta, I didn't really participate in the Christmas tradition. So when my sister suggested we take the kids, I thought it was a great idea! We had to go to Buckhead to pick up our half-marathon race numbers anyway.
I didn't realize that part of the tradition involved standing in line with a multitude of children and toddlers for an hour. Here we are waiting in the hallway:

and waiting on the roof of the parking garage:

The next place we waited was inside of a tent. You'll notice in the next few pictures that we finally did make it on the ride. You'll also notice that everything inside the tent is pepto-bismol pink... including Teddy's cheeks. That's because it is HOT in Atlanta, and it is even HOTTER when you cram at a bunch of excited children and their tired parents inside of a tent on top of a parking garage in Atlanta! Poor Teddy, by the time we got through the line he was hot, tired, and probably hungry. But it was all worth it, because Teddy LOVED the train ride. As soon as we started moving he perked up and started smiling and squealing. Maybe he was just relieved to feel the wind on his face... but hey... we're making memories and traditions. And good thing he enjoyed it, because after waiting an hour, the train ride went around the little track two times and we were done. In about three minutes. Crazy Atlanta natives! At least now Teddy is a true southerner!
Like I mentioned, the train ride was on top of the parking garage of Macy's (since Richs' is no longer here). After the ride, I put Teddy in his stroller, took him down one floor in the elevator, and walked to our car. That took maybe seven minutes. Here is Teddy as soon as we got to the car: