Spring Time Santa Claus

I know it sucks, it's a picture of a picture

We went to the mall yesterday (what, never happens). We walked around to realize Santa was there doing the photo op thing. We brought Anna over to see what she thought. She watched. I asked if she wanted to sit on his lap like the other kids did and she said, "Ummm.No. I don't like him".

I tolder her he was nice and brought little kids toys on Christmas (oh look at me, indadvertently perpetuating the lie of Santa. Didn't even realize it till this whole affair was over. It's so engrained. I'm not against santa per se but was probably planning to approach it all more carefully....). After she saw the other kids hug him, and that he was handing out books to these kids, she agreed to sit on his lap for a photo. We stood in line, which was super short. I realized she had on a very spring-time outfit, since it was warm that day. She also had on the mis-matched shoes she'd just consented to buying a few minutes before. Not very photo-like but we were doing this for the $17 experience and (and 2 3x5 photos) to see how she was really going to respond. I should have had my own camera with video so I could have taped the whole thing myself. She actually sat on Santa's lap, and he asked her what she wanted for Christmas. Good thing we prepped her right before because even though this is her third Christmas, like Halloween, she has to learn it all over again...you get presents for Christmas! She pointed to the pile of books by Santa and said she wanted one. I saw Paul and Santa and Anna exchange a few words I didn't hear. Then she smiled for the picture. A little shy smile at first then we asked her to show her teeth and say cheese and got the perfect Anna-Santa picture yet with a really cute smile. Too bad she was in a springtime outfit. And for heaven's sake, Santa could have put a red coat on too. Oh well...if this whole thing had been planned, it never would have happened. Click here to see last year's attempt at a Santa shot...

I asked Paul over dinner what they talked about with Santa. He said they all agreed Anna would give Santa her paci's in exchange for Christmas gifts. OK, we'll see about that. Anyway I told that to Anna back in like March and I thought she'd forgotten it. But then a few weeks ago when I said something about Santa she said she was going to give him her paci for Christmas. She remembered!

No wonder she hated him right away.