Visiting Santa

Once again, we headed to the Everett Mall to wait for a turn to see Santa this year.

I usually like going to Everett because it seems to be less crowded then some of the other places.

But this year, people were really edgy there.

On our way into the mall, a car actually came inches away from hitting me with a baby in a stroller.

And then threatened to hit Andy, who was carrying Ephram right behind me.

(And no, I didn't just walk out in front of oncoming traffic.  I looked, nobody was there, and then this car literally came racing through.)

That act seemed to be pretty descriptive of how nearly everyone was acting at that mall.

But once we were in the short line, and the kids could see Santa, excitement and nerves took over.

I wasn't sure what to expect of Macie, but she did fantastic.

All of the kids did.

My favorite part was when Santa asked Charlie, my only understandable child, what he wanted for Christmas.

Charlie blurted out, high speed, "I want a Death Star Lego pack, a mountain bike and a Luke Skywalker light saber flashlight.  Please."

Even with Charlie's charming smile, Santa held his gaze strong, put on a jolly smile and answered,

"That sounds like quite a lot!  What is the most important to you?"

From there Charlie started blabbing about this, that, and everything in between.  

(Which is his M.O.)

But I just thought it was too funny that Santa said exactly what mom and dad had been saying all along.

As the kids walked away from their visit,
In which none of my children cried or acted scared,
Charlie reminded him that they were supposed to get candy canes.
And Ephram held out two fingers to indicate that he would like two.
Their wishes were granted.
Santa's good at that!