Dear Santa

Get me outta here!

So far, Sam's embraced Christmas and all its traditions - trees, cookies, ornaments and lights. Until today. Sitting on a bearded stranger's lap while another stranger, wearing a silly elf hat, squeaks a dog toy at you is not on Sam's list of "fun-things-to-do". But it's pretty much what we expected.

He fell on a toy block last night and bruised his cheek a little. For a split second we worried it would show up in his Santa picture, then we decided it won't matter because he'll be screaming. And scream he did.

Several nice parents in line behind us commented that this picture will be our favorite Sam and Santa picture in twenty years or so. As awful as it is, we're pretty sure they're right!

Once the Santa ordeal was over, we were ready for some fun. We took Sam to Santa's Village, did a little shopping, and had another burrito for lunch. Best of all, Sam did some more dancing around the singing Christmas tree.  What a day!

Wondering if Sam's grown much in the last 12 months?  Check out last year's Santa photo, side-by-side with this year's photo.  Good Golly!

We Drove 52 miles for a Singing Christmas Tree and a Burrito

Really, Santa, REALLY?

Let's just say things didn't go according to plan last Tuesday. Despite the cold drizzle that fell from the sky and the fact that all three of us were worn to a frazzle from a hectic day, we decided to trudge out to Allen to see Santa and have a little Family Fun Night. What really happened is something completely different. It's a long story involving electronic check-ins, miscommunication and poor planning on the part of Santa's Little Helpers.

As a result there is no Santa & Sam picture - yet.

It wasn't our fault.

It wasn't even Santa's fault.

We're over it.

We made the best of the night and tried a new place to eat - Freebirds Burritos. The staff there was outstanding and gave Sam a sticker that HAD to go right on the front of his Christmas sweater. (

whatever

...) We also discovered a huge Christmas tree that sings Christmas carols, and Sam spent a good twenty minutes dancing in front of it, entertaining his shivering Mommy and Daddy.

We decided it was worth it.

Santa Kisses

We visited Santa today. Sam did great.  Not only was he the most handsome little guy, he was very brave.  Santa's helper gave us a suggestion they find to be helpful with the little ones:  don't let Sam see Santa while we're waiting, then back him up and plop him on The Big Guy's lap.  That's just what we did and it worked!  We didn't get a smile out of him, but we didn't get tears either.  And Sam got a bonus - kisses from Santa!  While I worked with one of the helpers to pick out the best photo, Santa gave Samuel lots of little smooches on his chubby cheeks.  It didn't seem to bother him, although, he still hadn't looked behind him to see whose lap he was sitting on. 

I wonder what he asked for for Christmas...Toys?  Things to hammer?  Food?  Yeah, probably food.