Christmas at the YMCA

Tonight we went to the annual Christmas party at the Forsyth YMCA. I was so excited because we had been talking to Jackson about seeing Santa again and I really thought he was ready. He took his Elf on the Shelf with him and sat in line staring at Santa for 15 minutes.

When we were called, Wesley went up to Santa first and I followed behind Jackson. Wesley and I were both confident he was going to do great. Well, we were proved wrong.

Jackson took two steps toward Santa, chucked his Elf at him, and fell to floor crying! It took a second for Wesley and me to realize what was happening but Wesley quickly picked him up. I snapped the following pictures while Wesley introduced Jackson to Santa.

There are a lot of pictures, but they tell a cute story.

Wesley stayed back as Santa introduced himself and warmed up to Jackson. After the introductions, Santa asked Wesley to please keep Jackson on his left hip and come take a seat on Santa's lap...now Wesley is not a small man and Santa is! Wesley argued with Santa for a few seconds, but Santa won out...

Have you ever seen the Will Ferrel movie ELF? This picture reminds me of it so much! I guess it is true that you are never too old to visit Santa!

Santa asked Wesley to stay put for awhile while he chatted with Jackson.

Soon, Wesley was able to move Jackson closer as Santa gave him a high five.

And laughed with him!

Wesley got off Santa's lap as they continued to talk about all that Jackson wanted for Christmas. He guessed correctly that Jackson wanted cars and tractors.

Jackson showed Santa his Elf on the Shelf and Santa immediately took it from Jackson and started hugging it. He was so glad to see his little friend!

They finished the conversation with a Happy Jackson (and a Happy Mommy and Daddy)

I know that usually Santa's helpers come to parties like this, but I am convinced this was the REAL Santa. No one else could be that special!


After visiting Santa, we went to the craft area where Jackson made some new ornaments for the tree and got his face painted.

Mommy and Jackson making a Christmas tree ornament

So cute!

Now, we are working on a candy cane ornament.

I had to include this picture for Wesley. Wesley is always saying that I do the "Jablonski look" He says my mom and I both stick out our tongues when we are working hard on something. He has even commented that Jackson does this on occasion too. Guess I can't argue with him now on that! He caught us in the act!

Jackson and Da-Da making a wreath ornament.

Wesley and all the kiddos!

Jackson wasn't a fan of the entire face painting so we decided just to paint him a red nose like Rudolph.



As Jackson and I were waiting on Wesley to finish up some things with the teenage volunteers, I gave Jackson some “coffee” (really just an empty coffee cup). He proceeded to share with the blow up Tigger and Pooh!