A Visit to Santa

This year Sam was excited to see Santa, unlike last year. Last week I took her for a 'visit only' to break the ice for our photos this week. The set-up they had was such a great concept. The photographer had a hidden mic which hooked up to Santa and he asked me questions about Sam that he'd relay to Santa - then Santa sounded like he knew everything. Of course Santa knows everything! From the banana tree in our front yard to her kitty Max, the Bounce Back Racer she's wanted for weeks and he commented on how she could swim like a fish! I swear the look on Sam's face afterwards was priceless...not completely stunned, but she knew there was something pretty cool about this guy. We talked about it on the way home in the car.

Ever since her first visit I've psyched her up for the big photo shoot. She was SO excited and looking forward to it, except she only wanted to stand beside him not sit on his lap. This was a big step from last year when she didn't even say one word to him. She had her bath and I did her hair and we put on the brand new shoes and tights I bought yesterday to go with her black velvet dress.
Right before her turn the family before us had a screaming child who was clearly terrified of the big red suited man in the beard. Once they left Sam had obviously taken that as a warning to her to be careful of this guy and suddenly she had nothing to do with him. The moment she was fighting to get away and held onto daddy I was so ticked at the whole thing. Her reaction was so opposite from her visit last week and I hate to say some screaming kid ruined it for us... but...maybe it did. Maybe it didn't. .... maybe it was just coincidence and she decided for herself she didn't want to do this after all.

regardless...

We didn't anticipate joining in on the picture, but this was the end result. Not bad, but I was disappointed. There's always next year.