Pre-Christmas Festivities

The holidays just keep getting more fun as Jalen gets older! It's so fun for us as parents to see him experience new things and participate in all the holiday festivities. His daycare did a fantastic job on their annual holiday program/party and we were so proud of Jalen for singing all the songs and doing well on stage! He showed a lot of interest in Santa this year - although he liked him more from afar or while holding our hand. Our most favorite activity was taking Jalen to the Polar Express, where we got to see Santa once again. He loved watching the chefs sing Christmas carols, read us the Polor Express story, and of course serve us our cookies and hot cocoa. He made some new buddies on the train as well.

POLAR EXPRESS:

Jalen and Daddy getting ready for the train to start.

Pure joy when the train blew it's whistle - we were off and running.

A visit from the Conductor - who checked Jalen's golden ticket and punched a "J" in it.

"How cool - a J for Jalen."

Jalen with some buddies he made on the train - who happened to have matching PJs.

Cookie break


SANTA VISIT at BRIDGEPORT VILLAGE:
As we waited in line for Santa, Jalen was SO excited - saying with arms wide open, "Give big hugs to Santa...I want to see Santa..." Once it was our turn, Jalen ran to him with open arms, yet when Santa did the same and said his "ho,ho,ho," Jalen nearly wet his pants and didn't want anything to do with him. Needless to say, we never got a photo on Santa's lap. We ended up with a humorous photo of all of us squeezing onto his lap. Maybe next year.

Nena and Bumpa

DAYCARE HOLIDAY PROGRAM:

Jalen after his performance, as he watches the older kids.

Jalen was jumping for joy when Santa came around the corner (although we never got a shot with Jalen on his lap...too many kids around).

Translation: "Way up high in the Christmas Tree, two little candy canes winked at me. I shook the tree as hard as I could and down come the candy canes, Mmm, Mmm good."

Translation: "Where is Santa, where is Santa? Here I am, Here I am. Merry Merry Christmas, Merry Merry Christmas. Ho, ho, ho, Ho, ho, ho."

Translation: "When Santa comes to my house, I would like to peek, but I know he'll never come until I'm fast asleep."