Maybe Next Year

Mia went to see Santa twice last week. Both visits turned out pretty much how we expected. The week before the first visit, I tried to prep her by continuously showing her the picture from last year of her sitting on Santa's lap. And, we really talked him up on the car ride to the mall. She was completely fine with him standing in line. And, when I walked her up to him, she was waving her hand back and forth telling him a big 'ol story. But, then I asked her if she wanted to sit on his lap so I could take a picture and she said, "NO!" I didn't push her - I think it's mean when parents throw a screaming child in Santa's lap just to get a picture. (For those of you who have done this, you're MEAN :) So, I sat on Santa's lap with her. Must admit - felt a little weird. And, also felt like we were there forever because the mall picture ladies kept trying to get Mia to smile, but she just kept giving them the stone cold stare.

This past Saturday, Santa visited our neighborhood clubhouse. We decided to take Mia to see him again - plus, they had hot chocolate and cookies, so who could resist? I thought she'd be more willing to go up to him this time seeing how she and mommy survived the last visit, but as soon as we walked in the room, she clung to my neck and wouldn't even look at him. I did talk her into going up with me - AGAIN. We took a quick picture (not posted because I'm making a face that looks like I have no neck) and then Santa gave Mia a candy cane, so she warmed up to him a bit and would actually stand alone in the room with him as long as she was 50 feet away. We decided to go get some cookies and hot chocolate in the other room, but Mia kept wanting to peek in on Santa. Some lady took it upon herself to try to get Mia to sit on Santa's lap (apparently the lady didn't see the first attempt), although none of her tricks worked. The lady even gave the coveted "kitty" blanket to Santa. Santa hugged kitty and put kitty on his lap (see pics above), but Mia stuck to her guns. She'd just stand back and point and wave to him. Probably saying, "hey! he has kitty!" Despite giving Santa her kitty, Mia really liked the lady. She even gave her a big hug when we left and got a big "awww" from the room.

I bet she likes Santa on Christmas morning when she sees the new kitchen he's bringing her! Maybe she'll remember the toys and sit on his lap next year...