Fear Factor with Santa

We survived a trip to see Santa at the mall! Last year Eliza was all smiles for the camera while sitting on Santa's lap. After the first year of life, children develop a sense of fear, which is a good and bad thing. Bad if you are a man dressed as Santa. I couldn't help but think how our experience was straight out of the movie "Christmas Story."

We were the second people in line once Santa started taking visitors. The first girl, maybe about 4, was clinging to mom and dad. Well, Santa and his helpful assistant spent 10 minutes playing a little game consisting of: Santa leaving...calm child...act like you are taking a picture of only her and then Santa sneaks in behind just in time for the photo they take for $20. Cute, well thought out, everyone would get this treatment. No.

As we enter the arena, Eliza immediately starts crying and clinging (despite pointing to him a minute ago saying "Santa!" for the first time). We look at the moving snowmen hoping for distraction. Nope. We sit on a stool near Santa and try to read a book. I try to move her near him but fear sets in. Finally Santa tells me:

"You gotta just do it Mom, I have a whole bunch of kids waiting in line."

Seriously? Well here you go...I hope she doesn't bite you with her 4 1/2 teeth.

I think it was because I didn't pay for their pictures and took my own. Who knows. Merry Christmas!

It is a winter wonderland around here, I love it! Although the temps. are really cold (our high is supposed to only be 12 degrees one day this week) the snow is falling and that means we should be skiing soon! I also just realized we will need to get a sled for Eliza (a.k.a. a winter wagon or "wee!"). Life is so much fun with kids. We are so fortunate.

Giving one of many kisses a day to "Me-Me"

We love the cute bear hat Claire, thank you!