Santa's Lap 2012

Last year we started a new Mitchell tradition.  We all take a day off work to go see Santa. In case you didn't know, he visits the Northpark mall around this time each year so we can get some quality time in with him.  Santa is so great.

We loaded up the car on an EARLY Thursday morning and headed to the Big D.

Once we got there, Mommy went to get a ticket so we would know when to come back and see Santa.  Then we headed to see the trains.

The Ronald McDonald House's annual fund raiser is the Northpark Trains exhibit.  It's so cool, and it raises almost 1/3 of the RMH budget for its Dallas facility.  RMH has a special place in Mommy and Daddy's hearts.  They stayed at the RMH facility when Mason was a Children's in Houston for a  week.  Even though we lived in a Houston suburb, being able to stay at the RMH, which is actually steps away from the NICU at TX Children's, made all the difference for Mommy and Daddy for that week.  So, we always love supporting a great cause AND seeing trains.

The trains did not disappoint.  I liked all of the red buttons you can push and make things move in the scene.

Everyone enjoyed them (we're boys, it's in our DNA)

Then it was time to head to story time with Santa.  Santa brought one of the dogs from the local SPCA adopt a thon to help spread awareness.  Santa told great stories.

Can you tell I was excited?

We also headed over to Build-A-Bear Workshop.  Maxer had a gift card from his birthday, and Mommy and Daddy let us all pick something out.  Maxer and I picked Grinches! They're so cute.

Mason found a sweet bear to love on.

Here we are putting our hearts in our animals and bringing them to life.

I love him.

They all got air baths, and then we headed to see Santa.

 

First, we got this great picture.  Mommy wasn't sure how Mason would do.  Especially when we sat him on Santa's lap and he began to bawl.  Maddox grabbed Santa's beard immediately (hence his hand holding in the pic), and Santa laughed a big "ho ho ho."  The photographer, Marc Robinson, is so great.  He had a funny elmo doll.  Elmo starting beating Mr. Robinson over the head, and Mason cracked up. Thus, the happy photo!

After the picture, Mommy and Daddy took the littles and we got to tell Santa about our Christmas lists.  I listed lots of toys (like A-ZZ worth).  Santa smiled and turned to Max and asked "and what do you want for Christmas?"  Max just said "what he said!"  Mommy and Daddy cracked up.

After our pictures, it was time to eat.  Chick Fil-A was on the menu.

But this guy had had enough.

We had lunch and ice cream, and headed home.  It was a great visit.  I can't wait to go back next year!

~Miles