All that 2-year-old Ethan Jewell wants for Christmas is for his daddy, Army Staff Sgt. James Jewell, to come home from Afghanistan.

Since the Fort Carson sergeant is scheduled to return Tuesday, there was no use in Ethan wasting a wish on him Saturday morning at the Southeast YMCA’s Military Youth Breakfast with Santa.

This year, 135 military parents and kids showed up for the free annual event, which provides attendees with a hot breakfast and sends kids home with a toy.

To see pictures from the event, click here.

As Ethan sat on Santa’s lap, he asked the jolly old elf for a black toy truck.

His sister, Kaela, 5, asked for a Baby Butterscotch pony doll and a toy tortoise.

“I would say they’re most excited about their dad coming home,” but Saturday’s event was a close second, said their mother, Monika Jewell.

“I like that they got one-on-one time with Santa,” she said. “When you go to the mall, it feels so rushed. This is more personal.”

Santa and several elves were on hand Saturday to greet tiny diners and encourage them to clean their plates.

“You have to eat all your breakfast so your muscles grow strong,” Santa told one child.

It was imperative that they did.

“Did you eat your breakfast?” he asked each child as they sat on his lap.

If the answer was “yes,” he’d pull out a candy cane.

Not to be outdone, the elves would follow with a dolls for the girls and toy cars and action figures for the boys.

Khloe Webb, 2, had a hard time containing her excitement as she waited to sit on Santa’s lap.Dressed in a holiday dress she’d picked out just for him, Khloe spun in circles and danced with other children.

“This is the first year she’s been interested in Santa,” said Elizabeth Webb, her mother. 

Mom said she already has all she wants for Christmas this year: Her husband, Fort Carson Sgt. 1st Class Ronald Webb, is home for the holidays.

“It’s a gift you can’t describe,” she said. “To have everyone together, to have your husband home, is the most precious gift you can get.”

For Sgt. Floyd Benally, Saturday’s event will likely be the closest he’ll come to a true Christmas celebration this year.

The Army is relocating Benally and his family to Fort Benning, Ga., in less than a month.

His newly adopted daughter, Sienna Benally, 9, was star-struck Saturday.

“Oh my God,” said Sienna as she fanned her face after catching a glimpse of the man in red. “He’s really, really cool. And skinnier than I thought he would be.”

Kaela Jewell, 5, and her brother, Ethan, 2, enjoy toys and candy canes from Santa and his elves Saturday at the Southeast YMCA’s Military Youth Breakfast with Santa, attended by 135 military parents and kids. The annual event provides attendees with a hot breakfast, and each child leaves with a toy. Photo by ERIN PRATER/THE GAZETTE