We popped over to the mall after dinner tonight to have a visit with the most talked about person this time of year - SANTA! We timed it perfectly as there was no line and we were able to take our time.
At the start of the Christmas season she was terrified of Santa, and even flipped out at the Southern Christmas Show when she saw him on the other side of the building. Tonight was a different story. As I mentioned in an earlier post, she's been talking big game about sitting in his lap and I just *knew* that she would change her mind when the time came. Well, I was wrong. She marched right up to him and had a nice chat.
After she was done showing Santa her new shoes and after receiving lots of compliments on her dress and bow, she settled in to the main purpose of her visit... the toys! She asked for a Jeep, like Daddy's (a power wheel) and she also told him that Caleb liked cars and trucks and trains. She was so proud of herself and really just reveling in the moment of enlightenment (Santa doesn't pinch after all).
Next it was time for the standard picture with Santa. As with years past, we could have gone with a crying picture, such as...
But instead we chose this one...
Can you believe it? I was thrilled... until I remembered a talk that I had with Ains on the way to the park one day. She started this particular conversation by saying that she wanted to go to Disney. With the knowledge of her fear of mascots and characters, I told her that she would have to sit in Santa's lap and hug Norm (the mascot at our basketball games) before we went. I made the mistake of telling her that once she did those things, we would start planning our trip. Now I'm afraid to take her to the next basketball game - she doesn't forget a promise. I think I better start saving for our trip. I underestimated my girl, big time!
