Visit to Santa

With the Ellershaws

So, the weekend of 11th December, we thought it was high time to go and visit Santa - especially as Tom hadn't written a letter to him, so he needed to tell him what he wanted.  We thought we had it all sorted, he wants an Eddie Stobart Car Transporter.  He understands that Santa only brings him small gifts because he is lucky that Mummy and Daddy can afford to buy him the bigger presents.  In other houses, Santa brings all the gifts because their Mummy and Daddy can't afford it.  He's bought that - phew!  Also, this year, to my annoyance he has started calling Father Christmas Santa.  I don't like Santa as it is American and much prefer Father Christmas, but I think peer pressure has resulted in his name being Santa.

Anyway, on the Sunday morning we met up with the Ellershaws and headed to Clapham and Ingleborough Cave.  (They went to White Scar last year and said that Ingleborough is much better).  We had a lovely walk with Caitlin and Lottie up to the cave.  During this time, Caitlin announced that she wanted a guitar, Tom was still wanting his Eddie Stobart.

With the man in red

We were the second group into the cave, it was as brilliant as always, beautifully lighted and the elves explaining the story of why Father Christmas was present were amazing - full of energy and enthusiasm - all of which makes the experience.  One of them thought that maybe Tom was a goblin and we were told to check his nose and finger nails regularly just in case!!!!  When we got to Father Christmas (proper costume, good beard), he spoke to them all as a group and then individually.  When he asked Tom what he wanted for Christmas, he said a guitar, A GUITAR??????!!!!!!!!  where did that come from - oh yes - he was copying Caitlin.  Great!  So we now had a boy who was getting an Eddie Stobart Car Transporter from Santa, even though he had asked him for a guitar!  After a quick chat with Sally, we decided that we needed to get Tom to write to Santa with a list of presents so Santa could choose what to bring him.  In the meantime, Tom chose a glow in the dark magic set as his present.

Relaxing in the pub

We walked back to the cars and then headed to the Masons Arms for a snack.  Oops - they only do roast on a Sunday, but they did have mince pies and mulled wine on offer, so we decided to have that and then go home for lunch.

The afternoon was spent at the Bottom Club for the Craven Wanderers Football Party - always a chaotic and loud affair, but good fun.  Luckily this time we had plenty of people to chat to as so many more of our friends are involved.  Tom happily got involved with his friends (after a little nudge)  and we even won a hamper of food.  We got back home around 6 - straight to bed for Tom after a shower as he had a big week ahead of him.