BEST FRIENDS and SANTA

Finals are just plugging right along. Justin keeps his nose right there in those books, and we do our best to 'support' by getting out of the way.  Hels called this morning, and off we went with our kiddos to see Santa at the mall. Christmas time is so much fun when your kids believe in Santa Claus...

There was a line up when we got there, so we had to wait patiently. Miley bounced up and down clapping her hands in excitement, and asked me 5 hundred times a minute when it was going to be our turn. 

I had to laugh at the coaching session she gave Scotlin on the car ride over. She was talking him through meeting Santa for the fist time, and giving him the encouragement he needed not to be scared...

We waited, and waited...

Snuck in a few pictures, and looked on with great anticipation...

Better not shout, cry, or pout right about now...!

And when that final moment arrived, SHE was the one who was SCARED, and he wasn't. 

Scotlin marched right up to Santa Claus to tell him he wanted "CHOOCOOLATE!" for Christmas! Miley hid behind the Christmas tree, until I forced persuaded her to come out and talk to Santa. 

Although she was a bit shy, she was able to tell him she wants a camera and bath toys for Christmas, and even pass on a little hug before the opportunity passed by. 

We were given sweet pictures of the kids on Santa's Lap, which Miley and Scotlin were both so proud of. 

After our Santa stop we walked the mall, and enjoyed lunch together from the Organic Market Place. 

(there aren't normal food courts here...) The kids played in the toy store, and Helene and I had a good laugh about how rarely we get out, and over how much we were thoroughly enjoying ourselves!

Glad to have great friends, and grateful for this time of year!

Just a little update:

Scotlin is doing great. He can walk well in his cast, and is doing pretty well with it off too, but only for very short periods of time. THe most complaining he has done has been to say: "Mommy, will you please take it off..." and then saying to me: "Mommy, don't hurt me..." when I try to wrap it each morning. :( It is heartbreaking to have him in any pain... so we have been taking extra special care of him. :) 

I think he has moments where he feels pretty strong, and so he`ll try to run, or jump, or just play like he would normally want to, but then he will realize that surge of energy only made his leg hurt, and very sore, and then he`ll spend the rest of the day hobbling and asking me to carry him. :( But the poor little guy is really trying to hang in there. We will see Orthopedics tomorrow...