13 months and SANTA!!! (and Priscilla the Pig)

Yesterday was a big day!  You turned 13 months and you got to see Santa again this year and you got to go to Lenox Mall AND you got to meet Priscilla the pink pig.  We were most interested in you meeting Santa.  I think your Aunt Angela said a while back that this is the year that you will probably be scared of him….and you were.  If we could have guessed, me and your daddy and Grandmere would have thought you would have LOVED him.  You were really scared of him.  The girls behind the camera were shaking bells to get you to look at them to take our family photo.

Yesterday we were going to take you to get your hair cut, but we put you down for a nap instead. You never napped, so we decided that you would nap in the car.  I think you fell asleep about halfway to Atlanta.  You woke up happy.  We walked around Macy's for a little bit and smelled cologne and looked at things for Daddy for me to get ideas for Christmas. Daddy took me to the jewelry counter and asked what cross I like.  (He bought me one a couple of years ago however it fell behind the bathroom counter)  We need a long magnet to get it out.  I told Daddy I liked a round diamond necklace instead but that I don't really want that kind of expensive jewelry.  (I think he may have bought some earrings I picked out as he was at the counter with you after I bought him a new shirt)

After Macy's, we went to have some lunch in the food court.  You were parked next to a table with some pretty girls that you were looking at and interested in.  They thought you were really cute!
Grandmere got there right as we finished up, so we met her near the ice cream shop.  They shared their smoothie they got with you.  You really liked it.

Then it was off to meet Santa.  Because we had an appointment, we got to go right up in line.  As soon as you saw Santa, you got really upset and didn't want to be anywhere near him.  Grandmere tried to hold you and you got upset.  I was holding you at first.  Finally daddy held you and you just sat next to Santa in daddy's lap.  When Santa would talk to you, you got upset.  I could tell that you were just not used to the long white beard and white hair and bright red clothes.  We are going to try to see him again soon when we go to Calloway Gardens the first weekend of December.

After Santa, Grandmere put you on the floor to let you walk around.  You were so excited about that and walked/ran all around the hall of the mall.  I was nervous you were going to get stomped on.  When it as time to put you back in the stroller, you didn't want to go back.  You prefer to walk and be active.  It was really time for a nap, but you stayed awake and checked everything out.

Before we left to head to dinner, we bought tickets for the Pink Pig and took a ride on it.  Priscilla the pig was there sitting in a chair taking pictures with the kids.  You were interested in her, but not interested in sitting in her lap.  Maybe next year!  Daddy gave up his seat for me, so he didn't get it ride it.  He took video of us though which was very sweet.  You were really upset having to sit down in the seat, but once the little pig train started moving, you enjoyed looking at everything. The train took 2 loops around the same track.  The 2nd loop, you were reaching out to the lighted white Christmas trees.
Grandmere was sitting behind us, so she enjoyed watching you on the train.

After that, we headed to Maggianos for dinner. It's a neat Italian restaurant that Aunt Angela and Uncle Dwayne and Alex like to go to every year.  Alex had a swim meet yesterday, so they weren't able to join us.  Alex did really good at the meet and won first in 500.  He's a great swimmer!

We had a fun day yesterday getting ready to start preparing for Christmas.  It's so much fun having you hear to celebrate with and make memories special for you.  That's something we talk about all the time. It's your turn to be a child and have wonderful Christmas memories to have your lifetime.
I was telling daddy about a time when I was 8 years old in this neighborhood.  Our neighbors up on Kurt Lane had a Christmas Eve party and my sister and I were invited with all the adults and kids.  Santa came to visit at the end of the party and that was so much fun.  That was my most favorite Christmas memory.  Your daddy said he remembers being in Garden Hills as a child making cookies for Santa with his parents.  We want to make your Christmas special this year and every year!
Love you so much Sam!