Thanksgiving and Santa

We spent Thanksgiving with some other lovely American families at Cottesloe beach over fish and chips and a beautiful sunset. It was a work day here for everyone and we didn't want to deal with the hassle of the big traditional meal, so this turned out perfect for some time with friends and plenty of space for little boys to run wild.

8 families and 13 kids made for a wonderful evening! It's always a little bittersweet to celebrate a major holiday without our families but our "family" of expat friends here makes it special.

On Friday we headed to Myer in the city to visit Santa for the first time. This is an event I've carefully avoided in Houston because of crowds, lines, and germs, and it couldn't be more different here! We arrived in Santaland and asked to see the big man. Immediately, we were escorted back to a private room with the big guy and the kids got to talk to him for a while before we took a picture. No line, no rush! Ben got really shy but still managed to tell Santa that he wants a trampoline. Alex babbled a little but had NOTHING to do with Santa's lap. He screamed and arched his back so no part of him touched Santa, so I ended up in the picture, too. Notice Alex's hands are on mine to make sure I haven't let go.

Afterward, we played in the rest of Santaland where all the rides were FREE. Things are so different from America here. The boys fought over this little train for a while.

Checked out the lights on the big Christmas tree.

B

A

And the main attraction - a little train the went around the room and through a tunnel. Little boy heaven! Don't let the faces fool you...these boys were obsessed and rode it over and over and over.

Hands up through the tunnel! (and boo bad camera!)
Now I'm so excited to decorate the house for the first time in 4 years. We plan to hit the Christmas tree farm next weekend for a little Griswold, oops, I mean Kirkham Family Christmas fun!