Katie Mastrosimone, 1, Lawrence, takes a cautious look at Santa during Breakfast with Santa on Saturday. The event was sponsored by Lawrence Parks and Recreation. Katie's parents, Gina Spade and Joe Mastrosimone acted as chaperons during her first meeting with Santa Claus.

Eden Jeter, 6, Lawrence, checks out a holiday-crafted kaleidoscope Saturday at Breakfast with Santa at the Community Building, 115 W. 11th St. In the background at right, Santa visited with children attending the event sponsored by the Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department.

Max Adams, 6, wasn’t drawn to the crafts table or the face-painting station.

He didn’t even seem fazed by the smell of fresh pancakes and sausage that was in the air. He had one mission for Saturday morning’s Breakfast with Santa: to give his handwritten list to the big guy himself.

After looking it over, Santa asked if he planned to do anything but play video games with requests like an Xbox 360, Playstation 3 and a Nintendo Wii. Not too encouraging for young Max, but at least there were pancakes.

Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department was host to the third annual holiday breakfast at Lawrence Community Building, 115 W. 11th St., to make sure Santa didn’t have to deliver all of those presents on an empty stomach.

The basement of the community building was buzzing with more than 50 people digging in to flapjacks and sausages supplied by Chris Cakes, “Kansas City’s original pancake flippers.” Kids also had the opportunity to make reindeer antlers and other pieces of holiday art. Some even chose to turn their bodies into a canvas, with snowmen and Jayhawks painted on their cheeks and hands.

“The biggest part about this is bringing families together to celebrate the holiday season,” said Duane Peterson, Lawrence Parks and Recreation Department special event supervisor, who also got into the spirit of things with a Santa hat and snowman of his own on his cheek.

“Especially nowadays, more than ever, because of the economy being so bad, it’s all about family unity and bringing families here in Lawrence together to do things together,” Peterson said.

Family’s all well and good, but when asked about his favorite part of Christmas, Max didn’t hesitate.

“The presents,” he said. And even if Santa wasn’t crazy about the idea of the 6-year-old staring at the TV all day, that’s fine by him. His list’s No. 1 item was a snowboard.

All proceeds from the event, which cost $7 for those under 13 and $9 for everyone else, went to the Parks and Recreation Department.