Santa ran just a little bit behind and they wouldn't let us in the room, so we got to check out a model train set next door. AJ LOVED the trains. Some of them were really tricked out--one was a Nestle train and it had chocolate smoke coming out from it. It smelled sooo good and made me want Chocolate really bad. AJ wanted to 'blow it out' because he thought it was on fire. Here is AJ posing with the trains:
After the train set we waited in the hallway. Santa walked by and AJ about fell to the floor--he was SO excited. He kept saying, SANTA, OVER HERE. I was warned that he might hate Santa, but much like he loves Elmo and Mickey Mouse, he LOVED santa and wanted to take him home.
Then we were allowed in the room. AJ chowed down heavily on some food. He ate SO MUCH! An entire muffin, a half of a huge bagel with cream cheese, an english muffin with cheese eggs, and a ton of fruit. He must be going through a growth spurt because he never eats like he did this past weekend.
They called one kid up at a time to visit with Santa. AJ patiently waited and then got SO excited when it was HIS turn. He ran up to Santa and gave him a BIG hug. They had little slips of paper on the tables and instead of writing down what you want, you are supposed to write down all of the things you are going to do good in the New Year. AJ told me he would clean his toys up (already failed!), listen to mommy and daddy (he is usually good at this), and share his toys with his cousins and friends (we will see).
Santa was really impressed with AJ, which made a mommy feel really proud. He said, "I can't believe he is only 2--he talks so well!" and "Usually kids are scared of me at this age, he isn't at all!". They took some professional pictures (for free--but they are printed out and I haven't scanned them in yet) and we said our goodbyes to Santa. Santa gave AJ three peppermint candy canes. AJ promtly ate one and made a large mess. Thanks Santa.
Before we left, Santa told the kids a story. Now I do love Santa, but he must be really tired from making all of those toys and travelling to see the kids--because he wasn't a great story teller, even with a book. We will forgive him though.
Breakfast with Santa reminded me of my Grandfather--Grandpa Glose. As you recall from my postings previously, I lost my grandfather a year ago in October to cancer. As a kid, we would always visit Grandpa Glose and Grandma Marie around the holidays. One of my fondest memories was his Christmas train set. It was quite impressive. I also always thought my grandfather WAS Santa. Made me sad that AJ will not be able to enjoy his jovial Christmas ways. I know he is looking down on us smiling and so proud of AJ (and his other grandkids and great-grandkids).
While I'm being emotional, I was thinking about my Grandma Nelson. We lost her in June. Thanksgiving is on Thursday and it happened to be her favorite holiday. I get really emotional thinking we won't be going to her house to spend the holiday with her. Even though last year we had a wonderful first Thanksgiving in VA, I just wish we had all talked her into having Thanksgiving. We didn't know it would be her last, but now we all regret we didn't spend it with her. There is going to be a very empty space in all of our hearts on Thursday. I'm sure she will be so happy to see that we are still celebrating together--this time at my Uncle George's in Western Philadelphia.
Ok, now I'm off to find the tissues, because I really worked myself up. I hope all of you have a wonderful Thanksgiving.
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