the education of henry

Big City Christmas

2016-12-11

It must be December because we are so busy! Lots of pictures this week, so let's get started.

Tuesday

I wrote a letter to Santa Claus. Daddy wrote it out for me and I copied it in my handwriting.

My letter.

Wednesday

I had some friends come over to play: Ayven, Sean, and Alex. We had a lot of fun, but it did get a little messy. Mommy and Daddy tried their best to keep a lid on things - really they did. But they were no match for us!

That's Sean flying my airplane, and Ayven behind me.

Me and Alex - after we destroyed the LEGO room.

Getting ready to knock down yogurt cups!

Sean playing my guitar.

Me playing my guitar.

Having some supper.

Thursday

The Holiday Train came to town, so Daddy and I went to see it. Mommy said it was too cold. She may have been right, since Daddy's phone agreed and stopped working before he was done taking pictures. We saw Lilei and Oliver and their mommies at the train. And we got to stand right next to the music - well, Daddy did. I was sitting on his shoulders.

Holiday Train!

Me with Lilei and Oliver at the front of the train.

After the train, we went home and Garrett came over. We watched Super Why and Thomas and Friends: The Great Race.

Watching with Garrett. Too tired to play.

Friday

Friday we drove up to Freya's house to celebrate Christmas! The weather was much nicer than the freezing rain we drove in the last time we went up. And when we got there, we had pizza! Just like Daddy's birthday! Yay!

Eating pizza and wearing Christmas hats. Well, Mommy and Josh are.

Saturday

Brace yourselves - we had a big day. We started out at the house with Freya's Advent calendar that Auntie Kara made.

Having a look at what is going on for the day.

Then we went to a Santa Lucia event at Freya's church. There were lots of cookies and people singing and dancing. And we saw Matt, Jenny, and Audrey there.

Matt, Audrey, and Jenny.

Watching the singers - we sang along on some of the songs.

Checking out the stage.

After the show, we went back to the house to open presents.

So excited!

Very excited about my fishing game.

Very, very excited.

Freya opening one of her presents. She's a little more subdued than I am.

Digging into another one.

Mommy with her new hat she bought at the Christmas market - it looks like Eeyore!

Dinosaur Train books!

Freya and Kara.

Freya got Hungry Hungry Hippos - so we played that a lot!

I didn't say we played by the rules....

Then it was time to ride the North Pole Express!

By the 261 steam engine!

In our car, waiting for the ride to start.

Santa Claus was going to come on the train to talk to us, so I wrote him another letter. I wanted to ask Santa to give Donald the Golden Eagle a new wing, to fix the one that broke when he got hit by a car, so he can fly with the other eagles again. Daddy helped me get all that on the little piece of paper.

Writing a letter to Santa about Donald.

There was a Snow Fairy that captured my wish.

And Freya's wish.

Getting my face painted like Rudolph the Red-nosed Reindeer.

How do I look?

Waiting for Santa. (I had Daddy take my face paint off.)

Freya, waiting for Santa, too.

Getting my letter out for Santa.

Telling him about Donald and how he needs a new wing.

It's all in your hands now, Santa.

Freya's turn!

After the train, went into the station to look around and have cookies and cocoa.

Josh, Freya, and Kara at the train station after the ride.

Running some toy trains.

Freya took a turn, too.

Kara and Ali: Sisters, Mommies, Aunties.

We looked around outside in the snow for a while, but it was cold and time to get back to the house.

Sunday

We woke up to a winter wonderland of four or five inches of snow. And pancakes! Auntie Kara made pancakes for breakfast! I had three. I think Daddy had six or seven. After breakfast we packed up and cleared the snow and said our goodbyes. Mommy wanted to stay for Kara's cookie party, but we also needed to get home and didn't want to drive after dark.

Cookie bakers!

We drove home in the snow, and the roads got better the closer we got to home. I got to see Duke and Grandpa Al and Grammy Wynne for a little bit while Mommy did some shopping for her cookie party, which will be next week.

When we got home, we had about eight inches at our house. We didn't have to shovel it all, because we have nice neighbors who did the sidewalk and the driveway. Guess Santa will know who has been nice on our block - and they'll get some cookies from us.

And that was my week.

Stay warm and take care!