Hello Santa

Let's play a little game of remember when. Remember when Owen met Santa for the first time? No? Are you sure? Well, I will help jog your memory. He was petrified!!! He cried and screamed bloody murder. I even tried to take him twice, maybe even three times and they all ended up with him screaming and in tears... The next year I tried to prep him a little better and he was actually excited to go sit on Santa's lap -- that's what he told me at least. But when it was our turn to see the big jolly guy  tears started flowing and he was grabbing onto me for dear life. Finally, when he was 2 (almost 3) we were coming home from getting his yearly birthday pictures done and he asked me in the car if we could go see Santa because he wanted to sit on his lap. I had my doubts but like any good mom, I drove the car to the mall and said a little prayer hoping that maybe this year would finally be the year my shy little mommy's boy would be ok with Santa. Well, much to my surprise he hoped right on his lap, smiled and even told Santa what he wanted for Christmas.

Long story short, it was time for Adelyn to meet Santa for the very first time and I didn't have very high hopes. On a day when Addie had taken a good morning nap, we didn't have preschool, I decided last minute it would be a great day to see Santa. I got the kids dressed and headed over to our little mall, got the kids unloaded, went to Santa's assigned village and what did I find? A sign saying he was only there on Wednesdays - Sundays and that day happened to be Monday. Shoot. Owen was set on meeting Santa so we walked back to the car and headed to the larger mall further away from our house sacrificing Addie's second nap and timing meeting Santa right at lunchtime ... story of my life. Luckily when we got to this mall Santa was ready and waiting, there was only one family waiting in front of us, the kids still seemed happy and this Santa looked real with his authentic beard and round belly. They called us up, Owen - a little tentative - sat on Santa's lap, I grabbed Addie and happily said "let's go meet Santa" handed her over and much to my amazement she was happy! Not full smiles, but no tears so I call that a win! I think it had a lot to do with the fact she was able to sit with Owen who she adores. After a bumpy start it ended up to be very successful!