Firehouse, then Christmas House

Saturday morning we got up and made cookies with M&M's (Ben insisted) to take to our local Firehouse. Of course I forgot to take pictures of Ben holding the cookies or handing them to the fireman, but I swear it was precious. :) There were only 2 guys at the Firehouse when we stopped in, but the youngest "probie" was nice enough to invite us in and then show us the 2 trucks currently on-site - an ambulance and the fire truck they use for brushfires (has offroad tires). He also gave Ben his own fireman hat and a junior firefighter sticker.

Talking with the fireman Ben and Jim checking out the firetruck
So cool of them to let us hang out for a bit Junior Firefighter Ben

That night we promised Ben that we would go check out the "Christmas house" in our neighborhood at a time when Santa would be there. Santa is there from 6-8pm every Friday, Saturday and Sunday in December. We drove over a little after 6pm and good thing we did because there were a TON of people already there! The line for Santa was already starting! Jim and I were thinking it might be a little bit ghetto, but they did a really great job and what a selfless thing to do at this time. They give little candy canes and a present or two to every child who comes through! Santa gave Ben a cute teddy bear. They accept donations to help pay for the presents and their electric bill. I imagine they have been doing this for years because they got quite a big turnout. There are bubble machines everywhere, tons of lights, music is playing, they have a movie playing in the driveway, little girls are selling hot chocolate - it was really quite nice. Ben did great with Santa this time around, telling him he wanted a big choo-choo train table and then posing for a picture with him.

Jim and Ben in line to see Santa Going up to Santa Telling Santa what he wants for Christmas A big blue teddy bear for Ben Ben and Santa (and Santa's helper) After meeting Santa - watching the movie Cheese!