Christmas Tradition Numero Uno: Santa Train!

This is our second year of our now annual tradition of visiting the Santa Train at Union Station. It only pulls up into the station for one weekend a year. And Uncle Rob always schedules time to come over to KC and take Max to the train.

This year, Max was able to get on the train twice: Friday with playgroup and Saturday with Uncle Rob.

Friday Highlights: We missed the big group shot in front of the train, but we managed these few.

Red and green cableknit sweaters. Intentional - no.
Cute as heck - yes.

Riding the little rails.

Guess Max thinks he is in with Annie's
family, so he stood in the picture.
Note the hand placement. Ha!

Crayola Factory. Party of 18 - no problem!

On Saturday, we got even more shots, mostly because I had two big helpers with me. :-)

Max and Rob are taking the line for the train very seriously!

Examining the steam engine exhibit.

Boarding!

Inside - so many things to look at!

The boys!

So many Santas!

All four of us in one picture! Yippee!

Walking the rails.

The boys at the head of the train.

Max and Uncle Wob.

Daddy took Max to see the Santa Train at night!

As I have said before, it's so cool that Max and Rob share trains together. It's so fun to watch and enjoy.
Happy Holidays! More to come!

Christmas is coming and Daddy's birthday is here!

One of our Black Friday gifts to ourselves was a new camera. Bear with me while I play a bit!

The last two were with the panorama setting. Just playing around!

Sunday, Dec 4, was Paul's 41st birthday. And he was a sport! We started the day with our first annual Santa Run down at Johnson County Community College. It was "only" a 5K, but both of us had forgotten what running hills was like. Our legs are still reminding us. But the three of us bundled up, ran, and finished!

After the Santa Run, we headed to Ward Pkwy Mall to get some Starbucks and let the little man run around a bit. Little did we know that Santa was set to arrive only 30 minutes after we did. Max horsed around a bit in the Santa area and even made friends with another little boy while we waited.

Took Santa's chair all for himself.

The daddies and their boys.

And then the magic. Max and Santa really had a good working relationship - photowise.

Such an actor!

We finished up the day by baking Daddy a cake and putting up some outdoor lights!

Always Daddy's helper!

So Christmas is officially on at the Borchardt Household! Bring it!

Sad Jingle Bells

Let me preface by saying that 1) Max LOVES Christmas music. And he sings it spontaneously. 2) No Maxes were injured during the creating of this story or film.

So, a couple of nights ago, Max was sort of throwing a little fit. We told him Santa would not like said fit. So then, he breaks out into Jingle Bells. But it was Jingle Bells with the saddest little scowl, bottom lip puffed out, and cracking voice. After the final "Heeeyyyyyy," he looked at us and said, "I'm sad." Then he perked up and did "good Jingle Bells."

Of course, we've tried to get him to replicate this time after time. We have no idea why or how he knew what to do to make it sad Jingle Bells. Freaking genius, I guess. Ha. But it is really, really funny.

We tried to get it on tape, and this was the most I could get. Now, he doesn't like it and will only do good Jingle Bells. Such a performer!

This kid. I love him to pieces!