A Visit With Santa

Grace's very first visit with Santa was disastrous- she cried inconsolably. Her second visit went a little better- there weren't any tears, but she needed to be heavily convinced to get close to him and almost refused to sit on his lap.

This year went perfectly. She was excited the entire time we were waiting in line. She nearly cut in front of four families in her excitement to see him and I stopped her from going into the gingerbread house (or Santa's vacation house as Grace calls it) just in time. And when it was finally her turn, she willingly sat on his lap and talked to Santa as if they were lifelong friends.

But the fact that it went so well made me a little sad. I kind of liked it when she was a little fearful because, to me, it meant that she was still a baby. The fact that she no longer has any fear of the man in red means she's growing up. And growing up too fast for my taste.

Still, she enjoyed her visit with Santa and can hardly wait to see what he brings her for Christmas.

It's a good thing, too, that Christmas is only a few short days away because Grace is starting to lose patience with the concept of the Christmas wish list. While we were out shopping today, she spotted some candy she wanted to buy at the register. Normally, she would tell me that she'll just put it on her list, but tonight she said, "I don't want to put it on my Christmas list anymore! I want to get it right NOW!"

Having a serious conversation with Santa and reminding him to bring her a purple bear for Christmas.

Eating a snack and waiting to visit Santa in his 'gingerbread vacation house'.