Christmas JOY...

"OH! I wanted this my whole life!" 

-Alexander (said throughout Christmas morning as he continued to unwrap presents)

That's when you know that the presents from Santa were perfect!

Visit With Santa...

Here is this year's picture with Santa...

Although I love this Santa and I think the two of them look cute, I'm not a fan of this year's picture.  The picture is zoomed out too much to show the decoration and they added in a banner at the bottom which ends up cutting out Alexander & Santa a bit.  I think I took a much better picture (yes, I'm biased).  But I did want to post this year's picture so the memory is still there.

Merriment at Gillette...

Today, I brought Alexander to see Santa (again), but this time it was at a much cooler venue - Gillette Stadium!  It was such an amazing event.  You got your photo taken with Santa while ON the field.  You got the photos for free providing you donated a coat for kids.  I already had several of Alexander's coats I was going to donate so this made it a more perfect event.  Donation for needy children while we get to be on the same field as the Patriots - made it even more worthwhile.

We met up with my friend Chris & her son Bennett.  While it was 'nice' out, it did get chilly which made poor Bennett a bit upset (understandably) as it was chilly!  We finally got thru the line and made our way up to Santa!

Here is our picture with Santa on the 20yd line!  Once on the field, Alexander asked if this was the spot where Tom Brady practiced, I told him this was where all of the Patriots played their games.  His eyes were so wide & he was elated! I don't know who was more excited - he or I!?

Visit with Santa...

This morning, Alexander went to see Santa!  He was so excited to go see him - he kept telling Mimi & Mommy that he already told Santa what he wanted, he was just there to get a picture with him.  Alexander did such a great job - he hopped right on up next to Santa, posed for his pictures and even told him what he'd like Santa to bring him for Christmas.

There was a little line to pick up his pictures that Alexander went back to give Santa a high-five and ended up giving him a hug!  Precious!

Visit With Santa...

Today we went to go visit with Santa! I am incredibly pleased to announce that Alexander had a great time and was super excited to go sit up there with Santa Claus! He didn't even once look back and ask me to sit with him. Super proud, I am!

He hoped right on up next to him and when Santa asked him what he wanted he proudly shouted a "TRUMPET"! Santa unfortunately heard 'drum set' but that's okay Alexander was still excited he got to tell Santa about his trumpet!

This year we went with Chris & Claire which could have helped boost Alexander's confidence. After Alexander sat with Santa, all three kids got their picture taken together! It was super cute!

Santa Claus is coming to town...

This afternoon, Santa came to our town to help turn on the Christmas lights on the big tree!
And to gives the reindeer a rest, he even arrived on a Fire Truck!Alexander was very excited and kept asking all afternoon when Santa was coming to the gazebo! We headed over and man was it chilly! After about 20 minutes, Santa arrived on the fire truck and walked around waving to the kids!

Here is Alexander on Daddy's shoulders getting a hi-five from Santa!
Then he helped turn on the lights and then kids got a chance to go over and say hi! Alexander & I snuck over and said Hi. Alexander even told him his special present he's hoping Santa will bring him!

Santa's Visit...

Christmas morning was quite enjoyable.

Alexander woke up at 5:30am but then came in with Mommy and cuddled for a bit. This was probably the Christmas present for Mommy & Daddy because we got to sleep until 7:20am! When we asked him if he wanted to go downstairs to see if Santa came, his reaction was priceles - "nah, I want to stay upstairs and cuddle in bed".

Once we convinced him to go downstairs, he was very excited. He came down and saw his pile of loot from Santa. The best part was that one of his toys was motion activated so it started talking but Alexander couldn't figure out which one it was. He kept looking around but had no idea how to find the talking present. Finally he found it so he opened his talking Thomas the Train...but then it was hard to get him to open other presents.

This year was the year of Thomas the Train, Trucks & cleaning supplies. I can't tell which gift he likes more: his Thomas the trains, several different trucks or his vacuum/broom!

Overall it was a very successful Christmas morning...Santa Claus did a very good job this year! And what will make next year is the fact that Alexander will understand the whole concept of Santa bringing presents on Christmas - this year it wasn't fully understood. Next year should be even better!

Visit with Santa...

This morning, we had our annual visit with Santa Claus this year. Mommy, Alexander & Mimi went to go visit Santa. I figured this trip could go 50/50. He was excited about Santa Claus and talked about seeing him all week but I figured he'd freak out a bit. So I knew he was excited because I'd ask him who we were going to see and he'd scream "SANTA!" and that he was going to ask for trains & trucks. But when I asked if he wanted a picture he said "no wanna see Santa".

We got in line and thankfully didn't have to wait long at all (SUPER quick). Alexander clung to my arm and wouldn't really get down. He almost cried but when Santa asked for a high-five he started to warm up to him. Although he was fine sitting there with Santa, there was no way he was letting me go (I tried). We got a few potential pictures so I didn't really push my luck by trying to have him sit by himself. As we got up to leave Alexander was so sweet wishing Santa a "Merry Christmas" without even being prompted.

Here is "our" picture with Santa this year:
He wanted to see him again after lunch but when we asked if he wanted to go sit with him, he wanted no part of it. Maybe next year...

Santa x2...

I got an email saying that my photo with Santa was ready. This year, the email wasn't lying. But what I didn't expect was that they would have both pictures available. I thought they would only have the one that we purchased. Of course, to order prints from their site is CRAZY-EXPENSIVE ($16 for a 5x7). Needless to say I won't be ordering additional prints.

It's not a quality copy but it gets the point across that he was not all that happy to get pictures done...

Here is the original shot we took and then he decided to freak out and tried to climb up my body. As you can tell by my appearance, I was not planning on being in a photo...oh well.

Photo with Santa...

Today, I took Alexander to go see Santa. I've been practicing all week by letting him play with a toy Santa. He's been bringing it all over the house, playing the music, giving it hugs & kisses. I was hoping this would allow him to not be afraid of the real deal.

We got in line (only 6th back) and met Grammie who came to share in the fun/chaos, but still had to wait an hour. He was in a great mood and walking around the mall with Grammie. He loved going up & down the escalator. Grammie got him changed in his snazzy outfit which got a lot of attention as he walked around.

Then noon arrived! Photos with Santa started at 12:05pm, and we were done by 12:23pm. When Santa arrived, Alexander was looking at him, waving & even blowing kisses. He wasn't smiling, but also wasn't completely freaked out. The line moved very quickly - and it helped that we were only 6th in line. Alexander had no problem waving and even peaking at Santa as we walked by. Then it was our turn.

Grammie tried to put Alexander on Santa and he wasn't having it. He was holding onto her for dear life! He wasn't crying yet but certainly was not happy. We tried again but nothing. I even brought the Santa toy and tried to use that - nope! We let the family behind us go to see if we could at least get something. I certainly wanted something and no matter what we would have a story.

Alexander reached for me (which is a shocker when Grammie is around). He let me get a little close but I couldn't give him to Santa or put him on the chair with Santa. So the woman suggested I sit down with Alexander. Santa was very sweet & patient. He was trying to get Alexander to laugh, a very nice Santa. What's ironic is that the grown woman who has problems with people in costumes was the one who posed in the picture...

For a split second Alexander was okay and she took the picture. Then he wanted to get up which resulted in him standing...and the whole time he's standing he is pinching my right arm incredibly hard. Santa leaned in (I leaned away) and she snapped the 2nd picture. And we're done...all that for a few moments. But we have a picture & a story...

As we were leaving, the woman said to me "but look at it this way, you look great"...but my poor son was so sad.

Our First Visit to See Santa...

Alexander had his first visit with Santa Claus this afternoon and it went well even though in the picture he looks scared to death...and a bit chunky.

The original plan was that we were going to go to Edaville Railroad to see the lights & Santa there. My parents took us to Edaville every year when we were kids and I want to continue that tradition with Alexander. However, it was supposed to be really cold and the fact that he would fully understand the lights or Santa, we opted for a warmer, closer visit.

So Alexander, myself, Grammie & Alyson went to visit Santa at the new collection.

Santa was to arrive at the mall at noon, so we decided to get there a bit early to avoid lines. Boy, was that a good idea! There were already 3/4 families in line when we got there and by the time Santa arrived, the line was already wrapped around Santa's village. Once they snap the pictures, they move along quite fast, but man... there were a lot of people there looking to see Santa.

Once Alexander saw Santa he was mesmerized. He couldn't stop staring at him. He didn't seem freaked out but he couldn't stop staring. This was a good Santa, he would wave and wink at the kids instead of just sitting down waiting to begin the day. Santa waved a bit with Alexander and he just kept staring back. Of course, Mommy was in a small sweat and forgot to take out the camera at this point. (Mommy has a thing for people in costumes...)

It was our turn to visit with Santa! I was holding Alexander and ready to give him to Santa. Usually Alexander will hold out his arms to go to someone and although he didn't turn away, you could tell he was checking out the scene. He didn't immediately go see Santa, as I had to lean in with him first. (Of course while I'm doing this, I'm trying not to freak out myself...damn clowns) Alexander sat with Santa but didn't look at him at all. He just looked straight with his "duuuuuhhhh" face that he likes to make for pictures. We even had the piano which makes him laugh/smile and nothing... Oh well...at least he didn't cry.

As I mentioned, we were in the front of the line so we were done by 12:15pm - quick. We couldn't get over the price of pictures for what you get in a "package" but it was his first visit to see Santa, we couldn't resist getting a momento. He also got a package of crayons and a Holiday activity book, but we'll save that for later.

Ho Ho Ho!