Last year Padon was only 6 months old and couldn't be a part of the Jingle Bell Run and I couldn't wait until this year to see him in the children's run. As soon as I saw it advertised in November I signed Padon up for the Run With the Elves run; a run for kids 8 and younger that has a route of one city block; down 6th ave, by Westlake Mall, in Seattle.Every year our friends Erin, Evan, Eliot, and Ivor also participate in the Jingle Bell Dash and so we met them at their house the night before so we could all go in the morning. We woke to a beautiful Christmas light display across the street that Padon kept gasping over and talking about. It was super adorable. 
But it had dumped a surprising amount of snow during the night and it wasn't safe to drive in. I was still very determined to get into Seattle for as much of the race as I could. Erin and I looked over the bus schedule and found there was no way Padon and I could get into the city from Monroe in time for the race but my Mom, sister Jane, and boyfriend Jason, who were meeting us there, assured me we would still have a fabulous day. So with Padon's stuff packed up, and with Erin's guidance (who knew you could wear a car seat as a back pack!) Padon and I caught the bus from Monroe to Everett where my Mom, Jane, and Jason picked us up.
But it had dumped a surprising amount of snow during the night and it wasn't safe to drive in. I was still very determined to get into Seattle for as much of the race as I could. Erin and I looked over the bus schedule and found there was no way Padon and I could get into the city from Monroe in time for the race but my Mom, sister Jane, and boyfriend Jason, who were meeting us there, assured me we would still have a fabulous day. So with Padon's stuff packed up, and with Erin's guidance (who knew you could wear a car seat as a back pack!) Padon and I caught the bus from Monroe to Everett where my Mom, Jane, and Jason picked us up.Padon like usual was a great commuter and the snow was so pretty in Monroe I had to take a picture.
We made it into Seattle at about 10:00. My Mom had grabbed Padon's Jingle Bell Dash t-shirt and number and with it stuffed in her back pack we went to ride the carousel.
It was a little much for Padon. He didn't smile at all, just looked straight faced as his eyes slowly weld with tears. At the end of the ride I had him in my arms as we talked about the colors of the horses and how this carousel was like the little one Grandma had at her house. May be next year it will seem more fun.
After the carousel I remembered I had the Christmas ribbon in my pocket that I was going to put around Padon for the race. I tied it around his waist and he could have cared less and couldn't have been any more adorable.
He was so cute walking around chasing pigeons. It was a proud Mommy moment for me to see Padon chasing pigeons. For me it was a big milestone that he was chasing pigeons in the city. Every little kid must do that!
And of course, we met and interacted with some odd characters (would it be the city without Padon if we didn't). Padon walked straight up to them, and with his baby gile tried to convince them that he was so cute that they really should give him their giant red balloon. They were so cool and loved that he loved it. But they still took it home with them. Sorry Padon.
We went and saw the Gingerbread house display, very cool, and ended our afternoon having a late lunch at Kells Irish Pub. Padon layed all over Jane (I love that he knows family and loves them) and aside from throwing a whole pitcher of water all over Jane and the table he was really good.
It ended up being a great day and Padon slept all the way home. Next year we will have to try again to Run with the Elves.
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