Visit with Santa

Last Friday, we went to the mall to visit Santa and see who would be willing to sit in his lap to talk with him about Christmas. Last year, Frannie talked a big game, but when the time came, she was clinging to Phil in a distant corner of the mall... far... FAR.. away from Santa. She told us, "Maybe next year." This year, she was saying, "It's Santa Time!" on the drive to the mall. Phil and I just laughed knowing fully that she would not be a participant this year either. Well, guess what? She decided to prove us wrong. She was slightly petrified with huge round eyes, but she got up there with Rush and told Santa what she wants for Christmas (a Barbie and a Barbie chair). I could see her face, and she seemed a little scared, but she actually looks pretty happy in the picture below. Rush was as happy as a clam. He told Santa what he wanted (Woody from Toy Story). Santa gave them a small coloring book and half a candy cane. Seriously, the candy cane was so small, I thought it was broken or something. It barely had enough cane to call it a candy cane. Think the kids noticed? No way! They just wanted to know when they could eat it. To which I replied, "Right after your super healthy dinner from the mall Chick-fil-a." Rush was however somewhat distressed by Santa's lack of speed with the gift giving. Last year Rush asked Santa for a black car and was confused that it wasn't immediately in his hands. I thought we had discussed Santa/Christmas Eve enough that he understood that the gifts wouldn't be immediate. Ummmm... he didn't understand. As I was getting swindled out of the $21 dollars for two pictures (same as last year... but with an additional child in this photo), Rush looked up at me with huge tears in his eyes. I asked him what was wrong. He held up the coloring book and said, "I thought I was getting Woody. I asked for it." Poor little guy. He has only ever known a world of pretty much instant gratification. He hasn't had to wait around for much. I felt bad for him. Of course, that didn't keep me from laughing. I had to re-explain the process again. He recovered after a minute or two. We had dinner and all was well. They had the half canes in the car on the way home. :-)


Another funny from Rush: We have a Nativity scene set up on one of our tables. We have talked about who all of the people are and their roles in the scene. Rush was staring at it one day, and he pointed to Jesus (who is lying in a manger). He looked at me and said, "Mom, do he have a Tee-ta?" Sweet little guy can't even imagine being by himself. His world has only ever exsisted with Frannie in it. He just can't imagine there not being a Tee-ta. Even Jesus should have a Tee-ta as far as he is concerned. :-) Love him!