Eastlake Christmas

Every year our Eastlake homeowners association sponsors a Breakfast with Santa. It is a great community event that also doubles as a toy drive. Olivia and Jacob get to see Santa and have a fun morning while also doing their share by picking out a toy to donate.

The morning starts with Santa arriving by fire truck. Our clubhouse is across the street from the fire station and since it doesn't snow here that's the best way for Santa to make his grand entrance. We then wait in line to receive a number so that we don't have to wait in line for our visit with Santa. The association provides a continental breakfast that we enjoy while waiting our turn. The nice part is Santa takes a lot of time with each child and makes the visit very special. I guess it's nice if you are early risers like we are and get a good number otherwise people do have to wait a long time. This year the talk turned to Santa telling Jacob he knows exactly where he lives and will make sure that his gift gets under his Christmas tree. Jacob politely explained that we won't be home and that Santa should go to Great Grandma Moon's house instead!

After visiting with Santa we enjoyed the carolers, ate our candy canes, and the kids got to do some crafts. Jacob made a Christmas light frame and then both kids decorated gingerbread cookies. The hard part was getting the decorations onto the gingerbread man and not into their mouths! Later they were having story time with Christmas books but it was chilly and the kids are fighting colds so we called it a day. We look forward to going again next year!

Santa's big arrival!

Jacob is an old pro at posing with Santa. He told Santa he wanted a telescope which was not a surprise to us, thank goodness. We are always a little nervous that by Christmas Eve he will have completely changed his mind about what he wants.

We snapped one of the two of them because we didn't know if Olivia was going to sit by herself.

Olivia didn't have much to say but she wasn't afraid once she saw Santa had candy. She did mind her manners with a nice "Tank You" and a high five. She even attempted a Merry Christmas but wouldn't tell Santa that she wanted a pink car. Jacob made sure Santa knows what to bring for her.

Here is Livie putting the finishing touches on her gingerbread man.

Jacob is just about done with his decorating.