Story Time with Santa

The last two days here have below zero, which has limited outdoor activities. So since we're pretty much stuck in the house, it's a good time to post an update which is a bit overdue. Sorry!

Today we did actually venture out of the house to drop off the gifts we collected for a family through Trinity Mission. It warmed up to zero degrees from a morning low of 8 below, so we threw caution to the wind, warmed up the van, and made the 10 mile round trip to St. Andrew's and back home.

Some highlights of what we've been up to...way back on Dec. 2nd, the kids enjoyed story time with Santa at St. Andrew's. We got there a bit early to browse the book fair and the kids got seats right up in front.

I was wondering if MK would bolt when Santa arrived, but she loved every minute of story time with Santa. Until it was time to go sit on his knee. Not to go off on a huge tangent, here, but I am wondering who came up with the idea to put kids on the lap of a total stranger with an unnatural amount of facial hair in a shockingly red costume? Mary Kate did go up with Ethan and had a very brief chat with the big guy. But she was fairly luke warm in her enthusiasm for the whole sit on his lap/get up close and personal with a giant white beard portion of the event.

At the book fair, the kids got to write their name on a drawing slip for a special prize. After story time with Santa, the elf drew the names of four lucky kiddos who got a special gift from the pre-school...handed to them by Santa...you would not believe how silent that room got when the names were being drawn. After each name was announced all the kids (I'm guessing there were 60) got so excited for the winners...it was fabulous. Ethan's name was drawn, and he got to go up and receive a prize from Santa. In his package were two books...one he gave to MK...what a generous big brother.

Dad snapped a quick picture of the kids trying out the elf's stool before the festivites began. I think Ethan picked up on Mary Kate being new to this whole "Santa" thing, as he kept telling her, "It's OK, Mary Kate." He also stuck close by her side, showed her where to sit, and put his arm around her when they sat down.

Mary Kate shows off her cuteness...

And her silliness. This is her famous "fish lips" pose. Guess who taught her that? Aren't big brothers wonderful?

Ethan receiving the special present from Santa. His eyes got as big as saucers when his name was called. He couldn't believe he won!

Mary Kate decided to stick her fingers in her mouth the whole time we tried to get a picture with Santa. Classic nervous-kid behavior. We got her off Sant'as lap there pretty quick so as not to traumatize the poor kid, or start a massive toddler crying chain reaction.

After storytime, we had cookies and then went for a drive to look at Christmas lights. It was a great night!