Annabel is even more into Santa this year than she was in past years. She has asked me – begged me! – to take her to see Santa every day since Thanksgiving. I tried to find a day that worked for everyone, but Mike finally said, “Just take them, it’s fine,” so we went on a Thursday while the rest of humanity was at work and school.
Before we left, Annabel drew Santa a picture. She was SO proud of it.
I was like, “…is Santa…eating…children?” and she laughed at me and then took several minutes to explain who was in the picture. I told her to make sure to bring it along to her audience with Santa (although I secretly wanted to keep it).
Santa’s elves set up a new feature this year – the family photo. As we walked through the line, a worker stopped me and said, “Would you like a nice family photo?” Um, the kids look nice but I am wearing a ratty sweatshirt and I didn’t brush my hair. Maybe next year. I set the kids down for a picture of the two of them.
(I had to take screengrabs of the images because digital downloads are NINETEEN DOLLARS and NINETY NINE CENTS. And that’s on top of the $29.99 we had to spend to buy the ONLY package available. Tis the season for price gouging.)
James is in the “I don’t want to be held, I just want to run,” phase, and setting him in this chair gave him a taste of freedom. He sat here for about seven seconds, and then he was immediately down and running. While my mom chased after him, I grabbed a picture of Annabel with her drawing for Santa.
And then, because James was attempting to run to Mexico, Annabel got some private time with the big man.
She was so happy to talk to him, and he was incredibly patient listening to her explain everything in her drawing. When she was done, he tucked the picture away in his jacket and said, “I’m going to take this back to the North Pole to show Mrs. Claus.” I thought Annabel’s eyes would bug out of her head.
At this point, James was back. I had reasonable expectations. I mean, nothing is ever going to top last year’s masterpiece:
I didn’t think James would cry this year, but I knew he wouldn’t love it simply because it involved being held, and he prefers running to being held/restrained 100% of the time.
As soon as James was set on Santa’s lap he sized-up the restraint system:
He looked at us like, “Seriously guys?”
The photographer announced, “I got a good one!” And that was all I needed to hear. It came just in time, because James was like, “Byyyyyyye guys,”
The final photo perfectly sums up these two kids of mine:
One looks like she’s up to something, one looks like he’s about to jump off Santa’s lap head-first.
When I grabbed James after the photos were over, Annabel had a few more moments with Santa. She spoke with him quietly, and when it was time to get up she hugged him goodbye, then ran over to me and shouted, “That was amazing! Santa is so nice!” In my mind I thought, “For these prices he’d better be nice,” but instead I said, “Oh, that’s so great, honey!” Santa 2014 in the books!
Don’t forget to enter our giveaway for $250! You can enter today and tomorrow!
Laurie Delooze says:
Adorable!!!! I love Annies picture. Merry Christmas to you all,
Nellie says:
Your children are just too beautiful! That is so awesome that Annabel had special time with Santa – how precious!
Casey says:
We are in Virginia, so our prices are a *little* cheaper. We paid $22.95 for the mall pic with Santa – also the cheapest package available. Our 6 year old was in Heaven, but our 1 year old cried. It was pretty much the perfect picture.
Johanna says:
So cute! I love that it is the same Santa as last year.
RzDrms says:
What do you mean, “the same Santa as last year”?! There’s only ONE Santa!
(Seriously, though, I had the exact same thought! And since Annie doesn’t seem to miss A THING, I have a feeling she would’ve somehow known or realized it was a different dude.)
Heather says:
LOL at this! But you’re right – she’s noticed that the Santa is different in other places, but she hasn’t asked WHY he looks different.
Annalisa says:
Ooooh, ooohhh, I have an answer handy for when she’s ready to ask. “Well, that’s part of his magic. He looks different to everybody some of the time. Otherwise, people would be able to spot him everywhere right away, and he’d have a hard time sneaking up and down chimneys quietly!”
Heather says:
That is a GENIUS answer, and one that would greatly intrigue Annabel!
Heather says:
Yeah! That Santa has been there for years, it’s nice to have that continuity!
Steph says:
“sized up the restraint system” Perfectly hilarious description.
RzDrms says:
Thanks for sharing snippets of your children’s lives with us; they’re all truly delightful little people. For some of us without kids, it’s neat to watch how little people react to the world around them.
Glenda says:
What awesome pictures! Love them all! and it’s awesome that Annie sees the same Santa
Kristin says:
At the request of my 5 year old, who somehow saw a commercial recently (we’re a big Netflix fam), our sons did a video chat with Santa last week lol. (www.hellosanta.com; you chat with Santa and they send you the video) They enjoyed it and we saw Santa again at an event over the weekend and my 7 year old says quietly to his little brother, “Did you see Santa’s beard grew out a little?” It was so sweet, but I’m pretty sure that there will now be therapy bills in their future
Elfie says:
Oh my gosh, that is adorable! Merry Christmas!
TC says:
Adorable love for Santa!
Wendy says:
What great photos.
Jordan says:
Such cute pics. James looks like he’s contemplating how to make a run for it. Hahaha
kakali says:
So what did Annabel explain to you about her drawing? I can certainly recognize Santa but did not get the other parts!Annie is so talented! Annie and James look fabulous with Santa!
Anna says:
What a great Santa! I love that it’s the same one!
Aida says:
Check If there is a Bass Pro Shop near you. They always have a Santa and the picture is free. We take the kids there every year. They have crafts and activities for the kids too, and it is all free. Hopefully you have one near you.
Heather says:
Unfortunately, the closest one is about two hours away!
Lori R says:
Great picture ! “sized up the restraint system” is exactly what he looks to be doing. Merry Christmas.
April_S says:
How fun! James is at that age where anything other than tears with Santa is a total win We visit the same Santa, and the photo website should have a “free download” link. It’s a tab underneath “need help building products?” Near the left side of the screen. Ya know, just incase you’re obsessed with photos like I am. And Santa said he’ll be back next year too – hooray!
Heather says:
I clicked on that, but it keeps telling me I owe $9!
April_S says:
Hm, weird! Maybe try it from your phone? That’s what works for me. The full-size image just opens in my browser.
April_S says:
Also, I think I saw you at target today, and next time I might say hello, just so I feel like less of a weirdo creepy stalker. Just a heads up. Although maybe you’re used to it by now.
Heather says:
I WAS at Target today (I am there like…three days a week, I love my 5% back), pushing around the monster cart! You definitely should say hi next time! That would be great!
Annalisa says:
That gives me hope that someday I’ll be able to take my kiddo to see Santa again.
The very first year, she was so tiny that I just didn’t feel right taking her somewhere with loads of kids and germs.
The next one she was 14 months old and curious, and very affable, so I thought she’d do stupendously. She was all about the reindeers, and was okay with Santa, but when Santa suggested she might want to put down her sippy cup (which wa her safety object at the time!!!), it was over. She took one look at Santa, and started screaming her head off. They did manage to take a pic before the epic meltdown, so it just had to do.
The next year, we tried the museum Santa as a warm up for the real deal a few days later. Given how traumatic that visit was for both her and Santa (really, truly), I decided to skip Santa that year.
In 2013, I really, really wanted a Santa pic, but my daughter got wise to my plan so fast that she had a screaming fit complete with throwing herself down on the sidewalk by Macy’s. Both her dad and I took turns trying to placate her fear while also trying to keep her baby brother asleep in his stroller. Once baby woke up, I just about gave up. I couldn’t even take her into a Hallmark nearby because she was scared of the display Santa ornaments.
This year she’s expressed some passing interest about Santa, so I’ve been asking if she’d like to go see the big guy. “No. No! NO! NO!”. We even took her to a local reindeer festival last Saturday to see how she would do. She latched onto the train village, and after we negotiated her to go down to see the reindeer, she took one quick peek at them and then said “I’m done. I want the trains.” Defeated, we took her back to the miniature village, where she stood enthralled. A kid nearby told her “I just went to see Santa!” and my daughter’s face FELL. I quickly murmured “it’s okay, we don’t have to see him today”, and all was right as rain again.
Due to that, and other unfortunately timed events, no Santa this year, either. But oh, I can dream. After all, was Annabel scared of Santa for several years?
Heather says:
Yep! Last year was our first happy picture, so there’s hope!!
Paula R. (fka preTzel) says:
LOVE the shots!!