christmas tid bits

We bought the Polar Express in 3-D, and the boys had fun one night watching it in the basement with their neat glasses.  Silas kept them on long enough for this picture.  I think the paci really makes the outfit.

Eli was pretty serious about it, and kept them on for the whole movie. 

Eli decided to be backwards, inside-out Spiderman one day at home with dad.  That costume has gotten more use than most of his clothes.

This poor Rudolph’s nose stopped glowing.  Eli was insistent that it could be fixed with a new battery.  Well, this toy didn’t have an easily accessible battery compartment.  I told Eli we could cut it open and try to fix it, or leave it as it was with a nose that didn’t glow.  He chose the more aggressive approach, and we did a little surgery(thankfully most of Mom’s surgery subjects don’t end up this bad).  Needless to say we were unsuccessful in fixing it.  Eli wasn’t too sad, and I wasn’t too sad about losing a stuffed animal – there are many replacements in the boys’ rooms.

Fun in the tub.  It’s a lot of monkey see, monkey do in our house these days.

This was an interesting day.  I decided we better get the boys to Santa before it was too late(it was the 22nd).  I already had a busy day planned, as I needed to pick up a friend at the airport.  We made it to the mall with just enough time to see Santa and get to the airport(so I thought).   Thankfully I had asked aunt Sarah to help out, and she met us at the mall.  The boys hadn’t had naps, so I knew I may have my hands full alone.  As soon as we got in line, Santa went to lunch.  By the time Santa returned, I realized that we were going to have to leave to make it to the airport in time.  We gave Eli the choice of waiting with Aunt Esa(Sarah) or leaving the mall and returning the next day to see Santa.  Of course, he wanted to stay.  Silas and I went to the airport and Eli and Sarah stayed in line. 

Eli got a little crazy in line with Sarah.  Apparently, he was confident he was on the ‘good’ list already. 

Finally, the moment they waited for.  Eli told Santa he wanted Spiderman gloves and boots to go with his Spiderman costume.  At least this year he didn’t leave disappointed that he didn’t get all his gifts from Santa in person.  What understanding a year can bring. :0)

holidazzle via the polar express

A couple weeks ago, we headed to downtown on the newly opened Northstar light rail.  We’re lucky enough to have the light rail come right to us in Big Lake.  It took us to Target Field, then we hopped another light rail train to Nicollet Mall.  The boys were so excited when the train took off.  We pretended we were on “The Polar Express.”

The train horns were a highlight – not as loud as a regular train, but still train-like.

We pulled out the snacks in an effort to keep Silas sitting.

Food always makes trips more fun :0)

Our train with conductor outside.  During our ride, the conductor was walking around the train checking on passengers.  Eli said, “Mr. Conductor, who’s driving the train?”  The conductor explained that the train drives itself!  Well, sort of.  Apparently the Engineer was controlling it.

Dad and his buddy in the skyway.

We found some people we knew in a downtown hotel.

Mike’s family and siblings stayed downtown for the night, so we met them at their hotel and they joined us for the parade and Macy’s display.

 

Waiting to see the 8th floor Macy’s display.

Waiting with Paige – they held hands the whole wait.

 

The guys(and momma) were tired after the 40 minute wait to get in, but we made it through the display…it was neat(a repeat from my childhood, I believe).  The highlight for Eli was reindeer trying to push their way out of barn doors. 

Elves makin’ cookies.

Dad and Eli ready for some Holidazzle fun.  We bundled up, but it really wasn’t too cold.

 

Si hanging on my back – kept us both a little warmer.

Little Red Riding Hood was a highlight – the wolf came right up to us.  Of course Eli’s favorite was “The Wizard of Oz.”

A tired crew on the way home.  After all the walking, playing and no napping, we were beat.  What a fun, Christmastime day with our boys and family.