Seeing Santa

Like we have done in the past couple of years, I made sure to mark the calendar for the Sunday morning that Santa would be up at the American Legion in town for breakfast.  There is virtually no line, the kids get to share their lists with the jolly man and we can eat breakfast together afterwards.  It is a perfect combination.

This year though, Samantha made it clear that she wasn't very excited about visiting Santa; not because she doesn't believe in the magic anymore -- she still does! -- but because she considers him to be an "impostor."  He's not the real man from the North Pole.

I explained that Santa can't be everywhere and sometimes he hires other Santas to help him out.  It completely makes sense ... she agreed.  But she wasn't going to sit on his lap.  I understand.

The morning started out a little rough ... there were some disagreements over clothing choices and some tired/hungry kids, but we survived.  It wasn't the best Santa (ha!), but the kids shared their wish lists anyway and I got a photo for my memory book.

Jimmy was the most excited to see him.  Oh, how I love the excitement in his voice whenever he talks about Santa and the idea of him coming to his house soon.  The magic is so real!

And Jack?  His list was the longest of them all!  And then when we got home, Jack said, "Oh no!  I forgot to tell Santa one more thing on my list!"

I asked him what it was, and he replied in all seriousness, "Gum!"  (I'm pretty sure that Santa will put some in his stocking for him this year).