Here Comes Santa Claus....

Last year was the first year BOTH kids enjoyed visiting Santa at the mall. It was so fun to actually have the kids look forward to sitting on his lap & giving him their letters! (We had 4 years in a row of  at least one screaming, crying, or scared-to-death kid. Click here to read about our experience in 2011.)

Now, the kids actually look forward to seeing Santa. (They have figured out that he is the one that brings the good presents! ;) So they woke up this morning excited to see the big guy!

We snapped a quick picture by the tree before heading out to breakfast:

 We went to a family favorite, Another Broken Egg Cafe. The beignets did not disappoint, and Abby got her usual order of "a big bowl of grits!" :)

 When we got to the mall, we were a little early, so the kids mailed (copies) of their letters to Santa. They both worked super hard on their letters this year. 

Nate asked for:

1. LEGO Lion Chi Temple

2. Bracelet-maker

3. Hover ball

Abby asked for:

1. Ring-Around-The-Rosey doll

2. Pink bike

3. Black & white cat (stuffed animal)

 Since we were the 2nd ones in line when they opened (!), we didn't have much of a wait. Both kids were happy to see Santa, read their letters, give hugs, and Nate even showed off his missing tooth. And we got a pretty decent picture too!

 Then the part the kids REALLY look forward to - the train! I have no idea why they get some excited about this (dumb) thing, but they do. Best $6 we'll ever spend. It goes around a small track a few times, and they always make sure to get the first car so they can ring the bell. Over and over and over.

Mad concentration on the bell

So, it was another great visit with Santa! And thankfully, an uneventful one. Greg and I were wondering today in line about how long it will be until they don't "believe" anymore. That made me sad! I hope we at least have a few more good years before Nate figures it all out :) Or hears it from a kid at school. Fingers crossed!