Paw Patrol

Last summer, I noticed that a new show starring everyone's favorite rescue dogs, Paw Patrol, was going on tour. The show was stopping in the city as well as Rockford. I decided to get tickets to the Rockford show because a) it was in December and would be extra fun to go during the holiday season, and b) I could get seats right up front easily and for less money. So we headed out to Rockford at the beginning of December and settled into our third row seats. We were all very excited. Luckily, they handed out pom poms so we could physically express our excitement.

I wasn't sure how they were going to handle the fact that actors couldn't be inside dog suits and on all fours for the entire show. They decided to go with having a human handler "ride" the dogs. It was a little silly at first, but we got used to it. The casting was spot-on for the humans and it was a very well done production. The boys really enjoyed it and even Charlotte paid attention with some interest.

On our way home from Rockford, we stopped at the outlet mall to do a small bit of shopping. The boys really liked this outdoor fireplace.

Polar Express

We signed up for the Polar Express through our Park District. We donned our pajamas and boarded a trolley at a local golf course, which wove through town until we reached the North Pole. Inside, we met Santa, Mrs. Claus, and Buddy the Elf. Noah was really excited to meet Santa and to tell him what he wanted for Christmas (even though Santa had no idea what a Yo Kai Watch was). Wyatt was very suspicious, but did whisper that he wanted a choo choo train. And Charlotte was okay until we made her sit by herself on his lap.

 

After meeting Santa, we were escorted into another section of the North Pole where we could have cookies and hot chocolate, watch the Polar Express, and make some crafts.

Christmas Begins

Our town really went all out for Christmas this year investing thousands in a display in the village commons including this giant Santa they ordered from France. We wandered through the wonderland one day before Papa Ray went home.

 We started to get into the Christmas spirit. We did our annual building of a Christmas craft.

Wyatt and I attended a park district class where he decorated an ice cream cone like a Christmas tree. Mostly he enjoyed eating the ornaments.

These cute kids attended the class with us. And we didn't even plan it!

Miss Charlotte didn't partake in any Christmas crafts, but I do have to give her mad props for her writing abilities at such a young age. Check out that pen grip.

We also attended our village's annual Christmas in the Commons event, fittingly during the first snowstorm of the season. We didn't stand in line to see Santa because we will be seeing him very soon. First up, the coloring contest.

 We did stand in line to meet Santa's reindeer.

 Well three of us did. The other two ran around frolicking in the snow.

Picture time

More frolicking

They earned some special treats after taking Christmas pictures. Wyatt chose a minion, Noah chose a grinch, and Nick chose a snowflake for his little snowflake.

Next up.. is that sleigh bells I hear?