A visit with Santa!

We have a tradition in our house: the day after Thanksgiving is light-up night — the day we go to see Santa! 

It's a really charming, small town light-up night, with quaint little shops all aglow, their windows festively decorated to herald in the season. The streets are lined with lovely white luminarias. The trees are lit up with tiny, white lights all the way down to the park gazebo, where Santa sits and waits for the arrival of all of the children.

My son's been talking about it & practicing the routine for weeks. He already had his list prepared (with a little help from me, of course) and he couldn't wait to have his chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what he wanted for Christmas! Poor guy was so nervous we wouldn't make it there in time - and so anxious for his turn, he was jumping up and down in line!

There were no tears this time. He was so thrilled to sit on Santa's lap and not in any hurry to go...I love the innocence of this age...how a visit with Santa can be so exciting, so magical!

It's so cute...an elf passes out chocolates to every child, Christmas carols play, they give out free donuts covered in red and green sprinkles and hot chocolate, there are horse-drawn carriage and sleigh rides, carolers, and bonfires. To cap off the night, a spectacular fireworks display!

We had a wonderful time!  The weather had been unseasonably warm all week, but yesterday it was only 30 degrees out (18 with the wind chill) and it even snowed just a bit - perfect weather for a visit with Santa!!