Chick-fil-a Cow

Since Harper was born she has had a fear of characters in costumes, including the Chick-fil-a cow.  For the most part we've been able to bypass the cow or see him from afar.  One time we were there eating dinner and the cow happened to be there, too.  As soon as we walked in the door she was hysterical and clinging to me and it didn't stop until the manager finally had the cow go out to the street and wave to passing cars.  Every single time we went to Chick-fil-a she would ask, "Mommy, the cow be there?" because she hoped he wouldn't be.

Well about 2 months ago we were pulling in the parking lot for lunch one afternoon and she'd just asked me if he would be there and I had reassured her that no, he wouldn't so she didn't need to worry.  As luck would have it, as we were getting out of the car the cow was walking out of the restaurant and headed to the street to wave at cars.  I was hoping to distract Harper, but she spotted him and literally jumped into my arms and started crying.  Meanwhile, Handley is asking if she can run across the parking lot and give the cow a hug.  Talk about opposite ends of the spectrum.  We made our way inside and while we were waiting to order Handley asked Harper why she didn't like the cow.  Harper replied, "Because he is big."  Handley promptly said, "Well Daddy is big and you aren't afraid of him."  Harper looked at her, thought for a minute, and then turned to me and said, "Mommy, I want to give the cow a hug."  WHAT?!?!?  Just like that she changed her tune.  So, for several months now every time we go to Chick-fil-a she asks if the cow will be there, not because she is scared of him, but because she tells me she wants to give the cow a hug.  Wouldn't you know that since her new-found love of the cow happened, we NEVER saw the cow during any of our visits.  She'd always tell me to "ask the lady" if the cow would be there.

I had promised her I would check into an event where the cow would be in attendance so when I got the email about today's Christmas celebration at Chick-fil-a there was no way we could pass up the chance for her to see him.  She talked about it all week and was so excited for lunch today.  As soon as we walked in she saw him and although she was sort of hesitant about getting to close, she did give him a quick hug, a very quick high-five, and posed for a picture.  While we ate lunch she kept turning around to make sure he was still in sight.  :-)

After lunch they also got to make a Christmas tree necklace, play cow bean bag toss and get their faces painted.  It was a fun event and Harper was sad to have to leave, but she can now say she hugged the cow and that she isn't afraid of him anymore!