Santa Visit Tradition Continues.....

The two oldest boys didn't protest much this year as they did last year.  I told them weeks in advance that the Sunday before Christmas is our traditional day of leaving the house at 8:45 and being just about first in line to see Santa.  Then they know that after they visit Santa we walk around the mall and shop and invariably they get stuff.

(Middle is on the left--he will be 13 in 5 weeks.  He looks bigger than Eldest but Eldest is bigger by 1/4 inch.  Here they are 12, 14 and 10).

We were first in line and there was hardly anyone there.  We just chill with coffee and the newspaper (the only one who has a handheld is the eldest at age 14 who updated Facebook to say "In line to see Santa with my little brother who still believes--too funny!").

Another family right next to us had kids of all ages including a 15 year old boy so we had the same philiosophy of not leaving anyone at home.  Eldest asked Santa for an electric toothbrush.  Middle asked for a new skateboard and a White Christmas, which made Santa laugh--but the forecast is for 21 degrees and snow flurries here in Georgia on C-mas so we'll see!  Youngest had his list of 4 items rehearsed.  And then the cool thing is that Santa told the boys to make sure to clean their rooms when they got home.

Getting their yearly photo with Santa is especially near and dear to Hubs' heart.  He LOVES to see how they change each year, for example, here is last year's. 

I am off to work now for a few hours and then I take my remaining week of vacation!  Only a few more items to buy.

Stuffer's tip: Hobby stores have the coolest items for stocking stuffers: geodes to crack open, those balsa wood planes for $2.00, those old fashioned car board games where you play bingo by closing a little window if you see a silo, etc., plastic cases to display the winning baseball game ball, magnets, silly putty and more.  The older boys get Itunes gift cards, gum, a magazine and beef jerky!  Need your help on any other items.