Elf Surveillance Report
North Pole Unit

Incident: Mommy spotted kissing Santa Claus.

Location: Underneath the mistletoe.

Summary: Children saw “Santa” (aka Daddy with a fake beard and full belly) present Mommy with a Jules ID tag necklace created by local designer Julie Schwanbeck. Mommy swooned when she saw the sterling silver piece (also available in fourteen-karat gold) adorned with hand-forged rectangular and circular plates, each engraved with an initial of a family member.

Testimony: “So clean and sophisticated! If you layered a few, it would look really off the chain,” said an eyewitness.

Conclusion: Mommy was on the good list.

Available at Twinkle Twinkle Little One, 3224 North Damen Avenue, between Belmont Avenue and Melrose Street (773-472-3000 or twinkletwinklelittleone.com); online at shopjules.com.

LEARN
Gingerbread House Building Class
What: Make your own festive cottage and bedazzle it with piles of candy.
Why: You won’t leave hungry.
When: Sun., 1-3 p.m.
Where: Park Grill, 11 N. Michigan Ave., b/t Monroe & Randolph Sts. Registration (recommended) at 312-521-7275.

STRETCH
The Bar Method Prenatal Classes
What: New exercise sessions help mamas-to-be strengthen, energize, and reduce pain.
Why: Belly up to the bar.
When: Sat., noon. (Classes continue every first and third Sat. of the month.)
Where: The Bar Method, 3144 N. Sheffield Ave., at Fletcher St. Register at 773-935-2150.

SEE
Children’s Books Around the World
What: Youngsters check out rare, elaborately illustrated reads from Germany, Sweden, France, and beyond.
Why: The folk-arty Alpine Flower Fairy Tales.
When: Thru Feb. 2. Mon.-Fri., 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., noon-4 p.m.
Where: Chicago Botanic Garden, Lenhardt Library, 1000 Lake Cook Rd., at I-94, Glencoe (847-835-5440).

Photo: Courtesy of Jules