Santa and Christmas Lights

We have a really great homeowner's association. They put on multiple events every year, including a "Donuts with Santa" day. This is such a fun and convenient way to get a visit and picture with Santa. We have never had to brave the lines and crowds at a mall.

After a short wait (which goes by fast when you have donuts and juice in hand, and tables nearby to color pictures on), Chloe went first. She told Santa she wanted a Barbie Dream House. What?? She told him that last year as well and I was shocked to hear it again. She has 2 or 3 barbies, but she rarely, if ever, plays with them. She definitely doesn't play with them enough to get a dream house for them. Santa wrote her a note last year saying that instead of the Barbie Dream House, he thought the gift he got her would be more fun. She didn't complain. Can Santa write that 2 years in a row?? We had a talk on the way home that just because we ask Santa for something, does not mean we will get it. Sometimes Santa knows things that are better for us, or that we will like just as much or more.

Mitch was next and had absolutely no apprehension about talking to the big guy. He was very anxious to tell him what he wanted for Christmas- Cars 2 DVD. He's so easy.

The Big Guy with my Big Guy

Then it was the twins' turn. Oh, my babies. They were so excited to see Santa while standing in line and kept waving at him and saying "I see him! Santa! Santa!"

But as soon as they got up by him, it all fell apart. We plopped Leah up there first.

This lean back, stiff bodied reaction, combined with the look on her face, says pure terror. She couldn't even really cry she was so scared. Sad for her, but hilarious, too (she'll think so too in a few years).

Wish I could have gotten a shot of her face on to really show her reaction- just a look of being completely afraid. Santa is laughing in this picture too, if you can tell. He was such a kind and patient guy.

I wanted a shot of them each with him individually, but I knew if we took Leah off, we'd never get her back on his lap and if Leah left, Lexi wouldn't stay. Lexi didn't like it at all either...

And then came the tears and screaming from Lex.

The best shot of the day- face shots of both of them in tears and terror. Santa deserves a medal for putting up with crying babies everyday for a month, especially this Santa. He was so patient and would hold on to the kids firmly so they wouldn't fall off or escape while they screamed so the parents could take their precious picture.

And a group shot- 2 happy, 2 terrified. Isn't this what Christmas is all about? Torturing toddlers all for the sake of a picture and memory? I think so.

But all was made right when Santa's helper gave all the kids a candy cane afterward.

For FHE this past Monday, we had our traditional "Gifts for Jesus" lesson, where each one of us writes down (or draws) a gift that we are going to give Jesus this year. (Ben helped Leah with her gift and Leah announced it to everyone proudly "Be less whiney"). After writing them down and sharing them with the family, we put them in a special Jesus tin/box and hang it on the tree to help remind us of our gift we are going to give Him this Christmas season.

We then opened our Advent Calendar treat for the night and it said to "Take a drive as a family to see Christmas lights." The kids all got in their pajamas, then we headed out to drive around our awesome neighborhood to see everyone's lights and decorations.

Everyone loved it, especially the babies. They kept yelling "Oooh, Christmas lights!" "Look- Santa! A snowman!" and repeating whatever they heard us saying like "Oh, the colors!"

Some of the houses around here are pretty impressive. This was the best house we saw that night.