Santa Claus is Coming to Town

This weekend we took Timmy to a great Christmas Event right on the Plaza where I work. We had been starting to plan our visit to Santa Claus, and after last year's meltdown on his lap, we wanted to have Timmy fully prepared and excited to see him! I had taught him that Santa says "Ho! Ho! Ho!" and that he should tell Santa what he wants for Christmas to make sure he knows what to bring. Timmy's list is "two Bwu-ways, two tees, and two cars!" Which translates to two movies on blue ray (thanks to Tim), two trains, and two cars! He is pointing out Santa Claus and Christmas Trees every time he sees them, so I was optomistic for this years photo-op.

Santa arrived by barge on the lake, and we sat with all the other families to watch his approach. Timmy pointed, waved, and said "Ho! Ho! Ho!" back to Santa as he arrived. We got in the front of the line and watched a few other kids talking to Santa, and Timmy was smiling and practicing his list the whole time, even as we were next in line. As I started to move him forward, onto Santa's lap, I could feel him tensing up. He did not cry this year, but he did not smile either! He kept his gaze mostly down and away, and his hands were either in fists or he was wringing his fingers the whole time. I do think he managed to very, very quietly tell Santa what he wants for Christmas, but it's a good thing Santa has helpers!
After we rescued him from Santa's lap he was anxious to check out the rest of the activites. He got right into the petting farm area. He liked the pig the most!

We also decorated a Gingerbread Man, though Timmy ate more of the decorations then he put on the cookie!
There were also craft vendors, samples from the restaurants, a magician, and carollers. It was a great event, and the best part was that all of the activities were free! Timmy really enjoyed it too. Afterwards we went to lunch and the mall where Timmy turned into a maniac... I guess that's what we get for skipping nap and being so busy! Timmy smiled and waved at Santa at the mall too. The funniest thing to me, was how excited Timmy got when I showed him the pictures of him and Santa, "Santa and Tee!" Maybe he'll be ready for him on Christmas Eve!