santa's village

During our week at the cottage we went on one day trip and visited Santa's Village. The last time we visited Nathaniel was 18 months old. The kids had a great time then and had another wonderful visit this year. The one memory that sticks out in my head from our last trip was me spotting Toronto Maple Leaf player Darcy Tucker with his family. Can you believe that I spotted him before Andrew? Andrew was so impressed that I knew who he was. Well, Andrew actually approached him and got his autograph on Nathaniel's shoe. And how perfect that his shoe was a Toronto Maple Leaf shoe no less!

Well, no celebrity spottings this year, except for Santa that is. My kids shied away from Santa and Mrs. Claus. Abigail stood in a picture with her cousins and Santa, but none of my kids wanted to sit on his knee. No prob. I have never been a parent that has wanted the annual picture of Santa. I cringe when I see pictures of wailing children sitting on Santa's knee. I don't get it.

When we entered the village everyone got an elf hat. Jesse felt an instant connection with his role as Santa's helper and insisted on wearing his hat despite the sun and warming temperatures. At around lunch I made the executive decision to retire the hat for another day. Thankfully there was not a protesting elf.

Our first ride was the roller coaster. Jesse opted out deciding it was "Scary" and watched with Andrew. I jumped at the chance. I am much more of a roller coaster fan than Andrew. It was pretty tame compared to the crazy roller coasters we saw at Canada's Wonderland when we drove north to the cottage. Of course at that time Jesse screamed for the roller coasters and kept saying "Me bigger!" Yes, he will visit those coasters when he is bigger. When we were leaving Santa's Village Jesse agreed to try the roller coaster. He made it through, but once was enough for him.

We made our way around the village, stopping at the train, the reptile exhibit and then to the Christmas ornament ride.

Andrew, the boys and I were in one ornament. My sister Christine and the rest of the kids were in another ornament.

I was looking forward to the animals. For Jesse's sake that is. He quickly was drawn to the horses (he is so into horses right now). Here he is saying "Horsey, no bite me!"

Have you ever seen a Zedonk before? Yes, that is a cross between a zebra and a donkey.

Love this picture. Andre and Nathaniel are waiting for their ride on the airplane.

Here are my three guys ready to take a spin on the airplanes.

Jesse got his wish and was able to ride a horse. Probably not what he was expecting. This was a VERY tame carousel.

Abigail was loving this ride. This is the kind of ride that I do not like. Lifts you up then drops you. I'd take a roller coaster any day.

We played on Elf Island for a bit. Lots of slides and tunnels to climb through.

There was also a huge web that the kids could climb on. Nathaniel just loved this. The challenge of it. Figuring out where to go next. Going through the rope tunnel. I didn't expect him to like it this much.

We also played a quick game of mini golf. Got a quick picture of my three elves before the line behind us got too long.

And someone was a naughty boy this year.