A Christmas Tradition

Every year Lucas and I go see the Christmas lights at one special house.

Telling Santa what he wants for Christmas

Ringing Santa's sleigh bells

Somebody is tired and grumpy

Snuggled in Mom's jacket in front of his favorite lights from last year.

Look who is sneaking up behind you!

Our 4th Annual Christmas Lights Adventure

Tonight Lucas and I set out to make our annual trip to see Christmas lights on Gordonston Avenue. On the way there Lucas feel asleep and I had the HARDEST time waking him up. He woke up grumpy and hungry. I got him a cup of hot chocolate (he said it was too hot, it wasn't) and then he got in line to sit on Santa's lap. He wouldn't even look at Santa. So Santa asked if he was scared of him, and Lucas shook his head "no" then he asked if he was just tired and grumpy and Lucas shook his head "yes."

Determined NOT to let that grumpiness ruin our plans we got back in the car and went down the block to McDonald's. Lucas gulped down some food and we went back and he was a brand new kid.

He was so excited to see the lights and then he ran into his friends Maddie and Jack. In the middle of running around with his friends he discovered his favorite decoration ever... a giant train made out of Christmas lights.

Lucas would leave the train for a minute or two to look at the other decorations but would always return back to the train where he spent most of the night. He ended up calling the train his train and he would told me he was the "ductor." He would stand behind the train display and yell "all aboard" and get so excited when other kids would walk up. He even pretended to give them tickets and would get so excited when some of the kids would stand with him and "ride" the train with him.

Lucas was having such an amazing time that even after an staying for over an hour I had a hard time convincing him it was time to go home. By that time his hands were ice cold and his nose was bright red. I finally talked him into leaving the train to go donate money to the Salvation Army and visit Santa again.

This time he talked to Santa and actually responded when Santa asked what he wanted for Christmas... and did he say anything to do with trains?!?! NO! He said he wanted a motorcycle... because that's what the big kid in front of him told Santa that he wanted. He gave Santa a big hug and then agreed to go to the car when I asked if he wanted to go with me to the store to get a Christmas present for his Daddy. After getting lost downtown for a while we ended up making it to the store and getting home a little before 11!!!!

Visiting Santa

Tonight we met Curt's mom and his sister Sam to have dinner and since we were going to be in town anyway we decided to go by this neighborhood that has this neat Christmas lights display AND they also let you visit with Santa for free. I love that Lucas knows who Santa is this year because we were able to get him to be really good at dinner by threatening not to let him see Santa tonight. Yes, I am one of those parents. Just before we were about to go Lucas couldn't take waiting a second longer and he started going up to me and his Aunt Sam and pulling out hands and saying "COME ON! Go see Ho! Ho!" and "Come on Mommy! Santa!" We we got to the car he couldn't stand it every time I stopped at a red light behind another car and would yell out "GO Car Go, NOOOOOW!"

When we finally got there Lucas grabbed my hand and said "Look Mommy, it's Christmas!" We had to stand in line to see Santa for a few minutes and I was a little worried that Lucas might get scared once it was his turn but he was just mesmerized by finally getting to see Santa in person. He was totally speechless and every time Santa would ask him a question like if he was good or if he wanted toys for Christmas he would just shake his head "yes." When Lucas' turn was over he got to pick out a candy cane and then we looked at the lights for just a few minutes.

Lucas loved looking at the Christmas lights almost as much as meeting Santa and I think we are going to have to go back at least one more time next week. Also, since this is the third year that we have gone to visit these same lights I think it is pretty safe to say that seeing them is now a permanent family tradition.

It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas

Tonight I planned on taking Lucas to see the same Santa that he saw last year. When we walked up to the house that hosts "Free Santa" we were told we had just missed him. I was a little bummed since we had driven half way across town to see Santa (and talked some of our friends into doing the same thing) but at least Lucas really loved looking at the Christmas Lights.

His favorite was the seal because he moved and had a ball.

He looked like a little drunken sailor trying to walk through the grass.

He was very happy to see his friend Hannah there.

Hannah was glad to see Lucas too until he starting hugging too enthusiastically and knocked her over.

I wonder if Santa babysits in his off time...

Today I was just bursting with Christmas spirit and couldn't wait any longer to get a Christmas tree. After Lucas and I got up this morning I fed him and ate breakfast and we headed off to Wal-mart to get a Christmas tree and a few trimmings. We ended up with a potted Christmas tree because it will live longer and doesn't need a tree stand. It is little but we don't need a big one. Right now it just has lights on it but we have our stockings hanging up and a wreath hanging outside our door.

Lucas and I both came home and took and nap and then we went out to the mall to do some light Christmas shopping. After that we headed over to my parents house. Earlier I had made plans with my Mom to go see Christmas lights. Bob and Betty,a couple that my parents go to church with decorate their house along with their neighbors and collect money for Salvation Army during the holidays. We got extra lucky tonight because Santa Clause was there. Lucas loved the lights and he loved Santa. He just sat on his lap gazing up at him and didn't cry at all. (Betty did two minutes later though)