Santa Express

On Friday, Sophia's preschool class went on a field trip to a local place called the Peacock Tree Farm.  This was a perfect opportunity for both her and Jack to see Santa this season ... and then we made plans to see the Man in the Red Suit again on the weekend because Samantha expressed some irritation that she would not be able to go on the field trip to see Santa.

The weather was as nice as it could possibly be for a day in December in Michigan.  In fact, I commented more than once that the weather was at least 20 degrees warmer than it was when we ventured to the pumpkin patch before Halloween!

Once we arrived, our first stop was inside a barn where the kids were able to make a swag of their own, complete with a bow, a few berries and a pine cone.  Such a cute idea!

Waiting in line to have her pine cone dipped into wax so that it would stay on the swag:

Then -- Jack's favorite part -- we boarded a small train that took us deep into the woods to see Santa at his log cabin.

 

 

Isabella, Anna and Sophia ... all waiting on the bench before it was their turn to visit with Santa:

 



 

Jack asked for a new hammer (and has continuously asked for that over and over again) because his old one "broke."  I'm hoping that Mr. Claus makes his one and only wish come true on Christmas morning!

Sophia asked for an American Girl doll.  (Samantha has mine from when I was a little girl and Sophia would like one of her own).  I'm pretty sure that this wish will come true for her this year too.

 

 

 

When we got ready to leave (and head outside to wait for the train to come back and pick us up), Jack turned around and told me that he needed to give Santa one more hug.  Melt my heart ...

 



Another quick picture with Santa:

Waiting for the train to circle around and pick us up:

 

Afterwards, we visited an old schoolhouse and the kids were able to decorate a chain for the Christmas tree:



Jack took his job quite seriously:

I should have known that my Sophia would choose the desk at the very front of the room:

Our little group that day, posing outside the schoolhouse:

From there, we headed to visit the farm animals.


Jack loved looking at the bunnies:

And saying "hi" to the goats:

Oh, and the pigs!  He kept telling me that they were talking to each other:

The sun was definitely bright that day ... and we loved it.

Swinging on the rubber tires that had been fashioned into a tractor and a horse:

Lastly, we went back inside to get cleaned up and have a snack.  Popcorn, juice boxes and a cookie.  My kids were so happy on the way home -- chatting all about it -- and then sharing their stores again with Steve and Samantha that night.