Christmas in the city

Since Mommy and Daddy can remember, one of the things they love to do is see the Christmas tree in the city.  One year we even went to watch the lighting of the tree.  We have managed to carry on the tradition even with the little ones around.  It's one of our favorite things to do during the Christmas season - even if we have to brave the cold winter weather.  In addition to seeing the tree, we have added a visit to FAO Schwartz and Toys R Us and staying over night at the Sheraton in Times Square which is probably the kids' favorite part.

This year, we went on a day when the weather was bearable and was not painfully cold for the kids.  First, we drove to Chinatown for a delicious lunch and a little bit of food shopping.  After checking into the hotel, our first stop was the LEGO store where the kids go to make their own Lego men and admire their amazing displays.  Since the store was just right next to the Rockefeller tree, we took a glimpse of it during the daytime and got some great shots.  Then off to FAO Schwartz - the biggest toy store with just about every toy you can think of.  Dylan and Logan went around the whole place adding to their Christmas wish list.  They'd ask us to take pictures of the toys they want so we can show them to our Elf Brody.  After walking around the toy store for a couple of hours, they got a little surprise from Lolo and Tia Nor who met up with us at the toy store.  Then we all walked over to the Tree to see it at night - just beautiful!

 

Santa Train

All year round Santa Train (Polar Express) is one of the most viewed movies in our house.  The boys pretty much have the movie memorized and even Logan recognizes all of the songs and characters.  This year we bought our tickets early (in AUGUST!) because they sell out pretty quickly.  (Last year by the time Mommy checked out the tickets in November, it was already sold out!). 

We didn't tell the boys about the ride and they were extremely hyped up when they realized where we were going.  First we took a school bus ride from the parking lot to the train which in itself was a special treat for the boys.  Then we boarded the train and met up with some friends.  As soon as Logan saw the train, it was non-stop "ALL ABOARD".  The train ride took about 2 hours and we were entertained with readings, songs, and characters from the movie.  The kids even got their own hot chocolate, cookies and jingle bells.  They also saw Santa and took pictures with him.  This time around, Logan was so happy with the whole experience that he quickly sat on Santa's lap for a nice picture.

It was such a special treat and seeing their little happy faces light up made the experience so magical for Mommy and Daddy.

Logan loved the school bus ride

In their jammas heading to North Pole in the Santa Train

 Waiting for the train to leave the station

 Ticket!  Ticket!  (just like in the movie)

looking out the window and enjoying the scenery

having a few words with Santa

a fun family ride

with friends Gabby and Lilly

Hello Santa!  See you again at Christmas!

Friend's Christmas party

For the past three years we've attended a Christmas party with lots friends from our area.  The Santa comes to give the little boys and girls a present for being good.  The kids always have a great time and even Mommy and Daddy enjoy catching up with friends.

Dylan spotted Santa as he came in the room

Logan getting his gift from Santa - but no sitting down on Santa's lap

See that big smile - Dylan was SO very excited to get a present from Santa.

 

 Can you tell he likes what Santa gave him?  It was one of the items on his list.  We wonder how Santa knew?!

 

Our little chatter got toy phone which he loved - So far he's called Mommy, Daddy, Didi, Lolo, Lola and Grandma

He had the Transformer mask on the the whole day!

Christmas Wish List

A cute little Christmas activity we like to do with the kids.  We give them the Toys R Us catalog and let them look through it for the things they want for Christmas.  We tell them that Santa can only get them one thing from their list because there are lots of kids that are also waiting to receive gifts from Santa.

This year we even let the kids bring the list to Santa when we met him at Short Hills for pictures and also mailed them to the grandparents who all thought it was such a cute thing to receive in the mail.

Dylan was very excited about this activity.  He just couldn't decide which toys would end up on his list.

Logan took this very seriously - he looked through every page making sure he had the perfect list for Santa.

The finished product

Letter written by Dylan that went out to the Grandparents.  So very true - they have been very good this year!

 

 

 

Christmastime!

A lot of fun Christmas activities going on in the last couple of weekends.  The house is now trimmed, decorated and ready for the holiday season.   Our Elf Brody has arrived to watch the kids and make sure they are being good.  We even went to visit Santa and the kids showed him their Christmas wish list.   

 

Boys were excited to see all the Christmas decorations.  

Logan loved Santa and Dylan is enjoying having Brody around (showing him what he wants for Christmas)

Went to Short Hills early to see Santa.  Nothing makes Logan happier than a chocolate chip cookie at 9am.

 

While standing in line to meet Santa, the boys enjoyed the Winter Wonderland display playing with the ice displays and watching the shows about polar bears.

Inside the big igloo - SNOW!

ready to show Santa their wish list

They talked to Santa for several minutes and told him they have been good boys.  When it was time to take a picture Dylan was more than excited but Logan started to cry... so their picture with Santa turned into a family picture.

Holiday Lights Spectacular

With the nice "warmer" winter weather, we took a spontaneous drive to the Turtle Back Zoo for their Holiday Light Spectacular.  The boys had a good time running around the zoo looking at animals, riding the carousel and checking out the cool lighting displays. 

checking out the sheep (they also had horses, chickens, cows, pigs)

With Logan's favorite - an Elefy

a cool light display of an elephant

 

running into Dylan's friend Collin