Santa #2

I'm a copy cat - I admit it. Sunday night, we put the kids in their Christmas pajamas and went out to look at Christmas lights. We drive around looking at Christmas lights every year, but this is the first year that the kids were wearing their pj's (thanks for the idea Erica!). The Abilene State School has a drive through display. Businesses and organizations from all over town set up lighted scenes. Basically it's a way to advertise. There are toilets lit up for the local plumber. The one that cracks me up is a western scene. One of the buildings has "Caretaker: you plug 'em we plant 'em" as the sign. What does that have to do with Christmas?? Once the kids start reading, we may need to find a new lights display.

After the driving past all the displays, you can park and go inside for hot chocolate and a visit with Santa. It was freezing outside, but I really liked the idea of having a pajama picture made with Santa. I think it turned out really cute. The most unexpected part of the evening was the large model train set that was there. Aidan was SO EXCITED. He was jumping up and down and asked all sorts of questions - how does it work? where are the points and switches? did you build all of this? The model railroad operator was so nice and even let Aidan hold the remote and push the button that blows the horn. The good thing about living in a small town is that we know the owner of the set and current President of the Abilene Society of Model Railroaders. Seriously! He goes to church with us and Matt used to work with his wife. We didn't know he was so cool. Anyway, he was nice enough to invite Aidan to see the whole model railroad sometime.

When we were loaded back in the car and ready to go, Matt asked Aidan what he said to Santa. Aidan's response will make us laugh for years to come: "Well, I ordered Star Wars legos and new k'nex." We'll see what Santa gets his order right.