So we braved the mall yesterday to see Santa. It was VERY crowded! I could
hardly keep all the boys together as we walked down to where Santa was. The line was long (about 45-minutes) but not as bad as I had thought it might be. To my
surprise, the boys were very good in line and were very excited for every
glimpse they got of the man in red as we inched our way forward. I felt kind of silly as I noticed all the other kids in line were dressed up nicely with hair combed, matching outfits, clean faces and anxious parents. My boys
definitely stood out as an unmatched bunch of
bed headed kids--happily munching on soft
pretzels with cheese sauce (which I did manage to wipe off their faces before the picture). If I had been allowed to take the picture I think I would have cared more about it--but the truth is I've gotten to be a bit of a snob when it comes to photography--I figured if all we are doing is a quick photo, shot by a teenager with no real experience, there really isn't any need to dress up. It was more for the experience of meeting Santa anyhow.
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And meeting Santa was cool. Ty was the most excited out of the 3. He had a huge grin and quickly jumped up on Santa's lap. Blake was a little shy--which is pretty normal for him now a days. He was willing to sit with Santa--but did not want to smile. He seems to think Santa is best appreciated at a distance of about 8 feet. Then there was Spencer who wanted nothing to do with Santa at all. In fact it took him quite a few minutes to forgive me for handing him over to this hairy stranger. All in all though I love the picture--I think it well reflects our visit, and I laugh every time I look at it.
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After the picture Santa took a few moments to visit with both Ty and Blake who eagerly told Santa that they wanted a Teddy Bear and a
Sheriff Woody for Christmas and that they had both been very good this year--(Blake may need Santa to redefine good)--and then Santa told them each to continue to be very good and he would visit their house on Christmas. Ty and Blake loved the whole experience and have been saying that they have to be good for Santa ever since! I think it was $15 dollars well spent :)