Hello Santa-Meet your BIGGEST FAN!

We did several fun seasonal things this Christmas, and even though we didn't get to do some of the major big ones like I wanted (like go cut down a Christmas Tree) Elem still had fun all the same and seemed to get right in the Christmas Spirit almost more than Seth and I! This year was so much fun, because he totally understood the "Christmas Concept"-the tree (not really decorating it), the lights on the houses, idea of getting toys on Christmas morning, and giving presents to our friends at school, all the candy and good food, Rudolph and the Reindeer and the sleigh, the Christmas songs-Rudolph was soo his favorite and I believe he learned the entire song in just about 3 circle times at school :), being good for Santa to come, etc! But most importantly SANTA in general!!! I can not tell you how much fun it was to pump in all the awesome little details about the jolly ole' man and watch Elem's eyes light up every single time. He knew he wanted Santa Clause to come and see him on Christmas morning. His love for Santa seemed to grow over the course of the month, and turned into a serious, serious obsession type love. It was sooo sweet -my little man, really truly loved the jolly ole' fella! Each time we went to see Santa we encouraged Elem to tell Santa Clause what he wanted for Christmas, and each time, he told Santa the same 2 things and 2 things only-he wanted a jeep and a choo choo train! Thank you Elem Zane for not being greedy and for knowing exactly what you wanted for being a good boy this year! You couldn't be more precious if you wanted to! This was our first year to hit up Breakfast with Santa at the convention center downtown. And we really didn't know what to expect, but one thing was for sure-SANTA was going to be there! Seth had to be dropped off at the airport, so luckily we met Cecilia, Dustin, and Ali for all the festivities at the convention center. Dustin's company donated a tree, and Ali had decorated it for the CARTI event, so we were excited to see that as well.

Elem and Cecilia are BFF so we were more than thrilled to find them waiting in line! Cecilia was all dressed up in her Christmas get up, looking so festive. :)I on the other hand didnt realize that every single kid, but mine would be dressed up in their Christmas Outfit, so Elem sported a nice striped sweater simply for the warmth on such a cold December morning. ha! Thank you Suitors for being our table friends at Breakfast with Santa. Pancakes, syrup, juice, Santa, and cecilia= a great Saturday morning if you ask Elem Zane!

We headed off to get in line to visit Jolly Ole Saint Nick. This was our first OFFICIAL visit with Santa this Christmas Season, and I was dying to see how Elem would react to him. Last year we waited in line forever, only to find that Elem was semi thrilled when he sat on Santa's lap for about 2 seconds. This year was totally different, and Elem was so excited waiting in line. Cecilia was up first, and did pretty good on Santa's lap, not too excited, but still happy enough to pose for a pic. Next up was Elem, and while we were in line, I tried to prepare him, and ask him what he was going to ask Santa for? What he was going to talk to him about? If he was going to sit in his lap? etc. Initially, Elem just wanted to stand in front of Santa, but the minute the old man held out his white gloves, my little toddler was good to go. I believe there was some kind of instant connection. hehe. Santa held out his hands, and Elem was right in his lap. Starring at him as if he was some kind of magical figure who had ever so graciously stopped by to visit just him. His eyes were fixated on Santa's face, and I almost teared up just watching him look in awe at the red suit, fluffy white beard, and soft hat on his head. Of course I had to snap back into it to get a couple of pics, but I couldnt have been more happy for Elem. He talked to Santa like they were best friends. If you know Elem you know he can talk for hours on end without taking a breath. His little raspy voice is certainly not lacking in the vocabulary department. Santa asked him what he wanted for Christmas, and he responded with only, "I want a Choo Choo Train and Jeep". And before Santa could send him on his way and tell him to be a good little boy and Santa would bring him that, Elem was telling Santa that he "could have one too" and that Elem would get him a choo choo and a jeep too. It ws soooo sweet. And so just like Elem. Ahhh, I love Christmas and I love how much Elem LOVED santa. Here you can see his genuine love for this man!

Lucky for us the rest of the morning did not dissapoint. There was lots of food, music, and fun. The kids danced the morning away to Christmas music by the "Kinder Music" group! It was a great Breakfast with Santa and an awesome way to kick off the holiday season. Elem and Cecilia were serious rock stars with the Christmas Songs. Can you tell I have been singing them with Elem since uhm, oh about Halloween. Haha! He loves him some Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer!


Cant wait to hit up Breakfast with Santa again next year. Totally something I would love to go to each year with Elem while he is still young. This is just a snipet of Elem's obsession with Santa over the course of the month. Not only did we visit Santa once, or twice, but 5 times here and there. Thats right, I said 5 times. Uhm, but seriously he LOVED Santa. And I can not say the same for my little Nephew, Wyatt, who seemed to be scared out of his mind when he saw the jolly ole fella. So Ill take this year as a win win-lots of Santa Clause and overall Christmas Spriit lovin, and not too many toys requested by Elem. Couldnt have been better!