Last year, we were in Florida when we visited Santa Claus. Isabel was just barely two years old, and a little apprehensive when we were standing in line. However, as long as Mommy, Daddy, and lovey were with her, she was content to sit for the photo (on Mommy's lap, not Santa's lap, mind you) with a very serious expression on her face. No smile, but no tears.
This year, we were hoping for much better results, and for a photo of just our children with Santa, with no parents in the picture. We had high hopes as we were standing in line, because Isabel could barely contain herself, she was so excited to see Santa. And lovey was safely hidden away in the bottom of the stroller, not mentioned or asked for. Things took a turn for the worse when we arrived at the front of the line and Daddy walked up and placed Josiah in Santa's lap. In a chain reaction, first Josiah began to cry, then Isabel began to back away and cry, and Santa was clearly not going to be okay with us just thrusting a screaming 3-year old at him when he was trying to hold onto Josiah (who, to his credit, stopped crying pretty quickly). So I grabbed lovey, handed it to Isabel, grabbed her and sat down next to Santa, hoping she would at least stop crying if she was in my lap, but no such luck....
We now have a classic meltdown Santa picture! You will notice she is missing one shoe...that came flying off as we were nudging (dragging?) her little body close enough to Santa to get a photo! At least we were entertaining to those in line behind us! You know we were memorable because about an hour later, we ran into another family in the elevator at the mall, and they said "We were just behind you in line. We have a crier too!"
Next year, I swear, no mommies or daddies in this household will be allowed in Santa pictures. If the kids are not OK sitting with him by themselves, then one or both of them will not be in the photo and it will just be tough luck! :)
Merry Christmas!
oh my!! that really made me laugh.
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