The activity of the day was to visit Santa... this was not our first visit this year, this was actually our 5th time visiting Santa. At Bass Pro Shop they have a place called Santa's Wonderland and every week there is a free craft, usually an ornament, that the kids get to make. So of course when we go we MUST visit Santa. Last night was the first time there was actually a wait to see him. In addition to the craft and the FREE photo with Santa they have a bunch of other things to do there; RC truck, race cars, Red Ryder laser arcade, model train that drives through a Christmas Village, coloring table to write a letter to Santa... and a mail box to put the letter in, Wii fishing games, bow arcade game with nerf arrows, plus if you go at certain times they hand out free Santa Bandz (for anyone with little ones you know what they are)... we have collected the Christmas tree, candy cane, angel and a stocking (the next few weeks will be a snowman, gingerbread man, and Santa). Plus on top of the Santa's Wonderland there is a BIG fish tank for the kids to watch the fish swim. Bonus: last night they had scuba divers in the tank cleaning it. Needless to say we always have a great time going there.
The kids' reactions to Santa are all so different. Lillie LOVES him, will run up and give him a big hug and of course tell him everything she wants for Christmas. Since we have seen him so many times Patrick has learned that Santa will give him a candy cane. So Patrick will go up to him... point to the box with the candy and then run away as soon as he gets the candy. When I put him on Santa's lap Patrick just stiffens up and tries to slide away. Then there is Josh who just hates everything to do with Santa and cries the entire time... everyone behind us in line feels so bad for him when I set him on his lap for a picture. My hope is if we keep going maybe by the last time he will not be crying. Last night, Josh decided to poop while we were waiting in line, and there just wasn't enough time to change him. When I handed him over to Santa I warned him by saying "he is a little stinky" and the look on Santa's face was priceless. It was as if he was thinking "well then why are you handing him to me???"
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| Big hug for Santa |
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| Can you tell just how happy she is |
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| Josh's best smile |
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| Almost every picture I have, his arm is up |
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| Group Shot! |
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| A family picture from an earlier visit |
