Santa Arrives in Manassas 2009

We have a fun family tradition that I just love. We go each year to Manassas and watch Santa arrive on the VRE train. He usually arrives on the 6:05 train. It is fun because the town of Old Town puts on a great event. First, Santa arrives and then everyone goes to the Museum across the street from the train station and they do a tree lighting and program for everyone and then you can go to the little square and stand in line to meet Santa.
This being our 3rd year, we got smart. We arrived early so we could see the train and get good spots. Jasmine was so excited and we brought the stroller so we could push the girls around in the big crowds (this is a very well attended event).Soon we saw the train and heard the whistle and as the train pulled in, we saw Santa sticking his head out of the engine window waving at all of us!Then we divided and conquered. Each year the line to see Santa gets extremely long and we have in years past waited more than an hour (once we waited over 2) to see the big man. I decided that Lorne could take the girls to the tree lighting and I would go get a good spot in line so we wouldn't have to wait outside in the cold for hours.I did the right thing - I was second in line to see Santa. Lorne and the girls came to join me in line later and we waited patiently for Santa to make his way to the gazebo. When it was our turn, Jasmine couldn't hold her excitement. She ran up to Santa ready to tell him what she wanted and to get her candy cane from Mrs. Claus. It was a sweet sight and we got some great pictures.After we saw Santa and Jasmine informed him that she wanted a Sleeping Beauty Doll and a Moxie Girl, we walked over to The City Square Cafe and had some delicious dinner with my Uncle and Aunt. This too is a tradition and we had a fabulous time.I can't imagine Christmas beginning without this tradition and it was hard because even though I left work on a Friday night to go, I had to go back to work when we were done having dinner. It was all worth it though, to see the joy on Jasmine's face.