I am so happy that I had a front row seat to watch you enthusiastically tell Santa what you want for Christmas this year!
From the very moment you sat on his lap, you began rattling off a long and very specific list of everything you hope to see under the Christmas tree this year.
I cherish this. I love it that Santa is so real to you at this age; that as your Daddy, I can help present you with that of that important childhood magic.
Something tells me this is going to be a very special Christmas…
Last weekend we met up with one of Mommy’s seven brothers and his family in Bryson City, North Carolina; where we boarded the Polar Express (from the the movie and book of the same title).
We turned in our golden tickets to get on the train and were shortly after given hot chocolate, before riding past Santa’s house and toy shop in the North Pole.
My personal favorite part was when Santa entered our train car, and out of your pocket you pulled some catalog clippings of items on your wish list, from the store Brilliant Sky.
I had no idea you had schemed this!
Forget the traditional wish list… you were all prepared with a full color ad of exactly what you wanted. You were ready and waiting for that exact moment and opportunity.
(Santa was actually unaware that one of those items was on your list, so it looks like Christmas shopping isn’t quite complete yet.
Every Christmas until now, your visit to Santa has been at the Bass Pro Shop in Nashville; during which you’ve been slightly intimidated to talk to him.
Not this time. You were all business.
Santa immediately tucked the catalog clippings into his pocket and reminded you, “Now be a good boy for me.”
You matter-of-factly agreed and then Santa was on his way to the kid in the sit next to you.
Despite the natural shakiness of the train, one of my pictures that turned out the best was the one of you with Santa.
Not only was this an amazing experience because you got to meet Santa this year, but also because it took place on a train.
What 5 year-old little boy doesn’t have an appreciation and/or fascination for trains?
You’ve already asked when we can ride the Polar Express again.
Last year you expressed zero interest in seeing Santa again, so we let you off the hook.
But this year, your best friend Sophie just happened to be visiting Nashville again since she moved nearly a year ago, in February.
As expected, you brought your illuminating sword we had bought you the night before at Marvel Universe Live. Just as appropriate on her end, Sophie brought her Anna doll.
I enjoyed watching the two you play together in front of the fish tank with your gender-specific toys.
Having still an hour to go before your appointment with Santa, we decided to hang out at the Lexus RX 450h that our family was reviewing this week.
With Sophie’s 4th birthday on December 21st, we decided to give her both her birthday and Christmas gifts there in the back of the Lexus; which sort of transformed into a stage, as we parents watched the endearing entertainment.
Your birthday gift to Sophie was very special; a penguin from Whole Foods- the exact same one as you have, who you named Pingy.
We still had a solid 30 minutes or so after, so we headed back into Bass Pro Shop to check out the activities for kids; like coloring funny pictures, racing cars, engineering trains, and “hunting.”
When it came time to go see Santa, we learned that Sophie is troubled by gloves; she just doesn’t like them.
So I explained to Santa and he agreed to remove them for the picture, which he gladly agreed to as he did his best to hide the confused look in his eyes and as I tried not to laugh. Notice the picture below of him removing them…
As you can see from the picture at the very top, Santa was wearing no gloves for the picture of you and Sophie on his lap.
And of all random things, the one and only thing you asked Santa for was… a pinball machine.
Yes, a pinball machine. Granted, our new house is going to have more space than our town house that we’ve been living in all these years, but still, I don’t think you’re exactly sure of what a pinball machine really is.
Turns out, I learned that last week your teacher Ms. Michelle created a pinball machine concept for your class to play with. So that’s where you got the idea. Now to figure out how I’m going to arrange that with Santa. Time for me to start Googling “small pinball machines”…
Fun and unforgettable memories were made, that’s for sure. And if it all works out, we’ll be visiting Sophie again the day after Christmas, while reviewing another Lexus.
Love,
Daddy
Catch up on the entire series of the Lexus RX 450h Weekend. A lot of exiciting things happened!
I assume, like most kids, I was confused and troubled by the complicated logistics involved in Santa’s overnight delivery to all the (good) kids in the world… in a single night.
Not only would there be physical restrictions, but financial ones as well. Even with all the free labor (?) of the elves, I still questioned how Santa could budget such a feat.
Now, as an adult, thanks to this new inforgraphic, I can get confirmation that I had everyone reason to feel unsettled aboutall this.
So here it is, “What Would It Take To Store Santa’s Gifts?”
Family Friendly Daddy Blog 