Santa Claus

Awww 'tis the season where you pay money to place your terrified child on the lap of a big bearded man in a red suit and snap pictures of the entire process.  Gotta love Christmas time.

Last year's visit to Santa did not go so well for Ryan and up until the moment she was dumped on his lap, I had high hopes of it being a successful Santa trip this year.  I gave her pep talks about Santa all week and how he is a nice man who brings you presents on Christmas and when we saw a big stuffed Santa at CVS the other day, she went right up and hugged it exclaiming "Santa!!!"  In line at the mall, she was fine.  She wanted to watch the other kids seeing Santa and seemed to be okay with the prospect of meeting him.  We were there with our other little friend Avery and the two of them were so adorable in their Christmasy best.

However, the pictures with Santa tell a completely different story.  One of terror.  They look extremely similar to last years other than the fact that Rory was present  (and could have cared less) and Ryan has a little more hair.   I'm such a mean mom.  At least one of my children wasn't crying.

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At least her prize at the end was that she got to walk the mall hand in hand with her BFF.  After that, all was right with the world.  A girl after my own heart.

I said it last year and I'll say it again.  Maybe next year?  Then again, if I'm lucky enough to have Ryan decide she likes Santa, undoubtedly Rory will be screaming in the picture.  We could have a few years ahead of us before we get a Santa shot with no crying kids.