Breakfast with Santa at the Fire Department

After a previous disappointing experience with St. Pius, we were hopeful that the Volunteer Fire Department in Cockeysville would be a better situation.  We arrived and the boys were immediately entertained with the bell.

The set up was perfect since they had Santa on the main floor and the breakfast upstairs to give a perfect separation in lieu of people in long lines to get a picture with Santa and holding tables to eat breakfast because their family was in a long line.

Jackson willingly posed as a snowman. 

Jackson was incredibly willing to sit with Santa.  He had multiple things on his list.  Unfortunately,  neither Michael nor I heard the items but I'm hopeful that he will let us know.

Connor would not let go of Michael and was very willing to give Santa an incredibly long list.  Santa instructed Connor to write everything down on a list and mail it to him.  Michael was able to hear and the good thing is that I'm fairly confident that he will be happy with his presents on Christmas. 

There was a sled set up and the boys struggled with this as their was one reign and neither one was able to handle the concept of waiting.  We discussed taking separate pictures but it was getting tense.

We headed upstairs for breakfast and the boys actually ate the breakfast that they normally eat that we brought from home.  Connor tried the eggs, pancakes and sausage.  The best part was watching the boys share their toys with some children from a neighboring table. We had brought some things out of concern that there would be a long line and couldn't be happier with our experience. 

We returned to the downstairs area to look at the crafts again and see if the sled was available for individual pictures.  Jackson immediately secured a pink fireman's hat and they both bolted into the line for the sled again.

This picture is not an accurate depiction of what occurred on the sled.  There was some pushing and shoving and shrieking.  Connor has been instigating a lot of contact recently and throwing the crocodile tears if Jackson even looks his way.  The shrieks were so loud that we had to promptly leave.  It was one of those parenting moments were you feel as though you are sweating through your clothes due to embarrassment. 

Once outside, the boys worked together on the bell.

We also checked out the firetrucks on display and the boys checked out the operating panel. 

Despite the meltdown, we are learning a lot about our toddlers in outside situations.  We discussed using the words that we need to do something by myself.  By default, the boys are almost always together doing something.  This is generally by their choice.  We have offered to take them to places individually but neither has been willing to do that.  I couldn't imagine the struggles that they are going through to be their own individuals.  We are hoping that we can guide them through this with less pushes and shoves and more hugs.  They do tell each other that they are best friends, which is pretty amazing to hear.