Santa Visits 2013

We saw Santa twice this Christmas season. Both times went really well and no one cried, which I am thankful for. My girls are not scared of Santa at all, in fact, they ran to him and were saying, "me first, me first!" Gotta love it! (For weeks, I had been talking about Santa and how silly he is and trying really hard to put a good picture of what Santa is in their heads, so they wouldn't be scared...and I am glad I did!)

The first trip to see Santa was at the local firehouse close to where we used to live, and where my parents currently live.  Every year they have a really yummy "Santa Breakfast" and you can see Santa for just a small donation, so with five kids, I am more thankful to just give a donation and bring a Toy for Tots! :) My kind of deal!

We got up super early, like 5am for this Momma and I got everything ready, dressed all the girls are we were out of the house by 7:15 am (Tim had to work). We made it there by 7:45am, went in and paid, and were first in line for Santa (we started Santa off with a bang!)! Happy Momma! I was happy that my parents and my sister were able to join us!

I had a matching hair bow for Emily, and she ripped it out when we were in the car and I looked EVERYWHERE for that darn thing and couldn't find it anywhere...it made me so mad that she was missing part of her outfit! When we were walking out of the fire station, I was looking on the ground to see if maybe I dropped it outside of the car when we were getting out, and boom, there it was in my coat pocket, THE WHOLE TIME! I could have screamed! I know, I know, it's not a big deal to some, but to me, I was so mad she wasn't matching her sisters...and the only one without a Christmas bow! :(

Why is it snowing in this photo? I did not add this. wth!?

We ate a delicious pancake breakfast (the girls ate SO much!!) and then watched all the Christmas trains. The girls loved seeing all the trains go around and around! I didn't get any photos of the girls eating because seriously I was just running back and forth getting more pancakes, more eggs, more cereal, juice, bacon, sausage....those little girls can put some food away when they want to!

After seeing Santa, eating breakfast, and seeing the trains, we went downstairs to check out all the firetrucks. My girls were SO excited to sit in the firetruck driver's seat (Daddy would have been so proud as he is a fire academy graduate!). I couldn't put them in quick enough. They are such BIG girls! They loved checking out all the gadgets, "clocks" and big hoses on the truck. I had to stop them from pushing every button they saw!

Waiting patiently for the fire chief to put them up in the driver's seat

Natalee is still so tiny, she could have fit in the big fireman/woman's boots!

Checking out the big tires!

Maddy

Claire

On Sunday, December 22nd we went to Pump It Up for our local Infants and Toddlers Sensory play date and to see Santa, all of course was free again! I am so thankful for these fun activities where my girls can enjoy themselves and play with other kids! There were activities, snacks, and lots of fun jumping, bouncing and sliding. The girls had a blast! I really wanted to get good individual photos of each of the girls. All of the girls did great and gladly went to sit on Santa's lap, except Natalee. Natalee is either all in or all out. This day, it was all out. I was very impressed with the whole set-up. Mrs. Clause was there and was so incredibly sweet! They had a whole crew to take your photos, and then each child could decorate a frame to put it in. I just grabbed a few frames that I figured the girls would do next Christmas when their coloring skills were a little better and since they just wanted to go jump and bounce, I wasn't about to make them sit still and try to color frames.

Emily!

Claire, one day until 3 years old!

Maddy, acting a little shy

Me and Natalee!

Our sweet Annabelle

A quick family photo....ha!

We loved that Uncle Julian, Aunt Megan and our new baby cousin Alexandra could join us too! Baby Ally loved seeing Santa too!

Alexandra, 4 months

Uncle Julian, Aunt Megan and baby cousin Alexandra!

 And then it was time to play, play, play!!!

We made it home in time to watch the Eagles game and the girls all were passed out cold for naps! Fun day! I hope they are this easy to put on Santa's lap next year too!