Meeting Santa Claus

Thanks to the wonderful workings of "word of mouth" of a fellow Mom, I heard that Santa would be visiting with children at the local credit union this week and it was open to the public.  As such, I got the kids dressed up for that special picture I always dreamed of capturing - but as if it were the holy grail, this photo has slipped through my hands oh so many times.  Between crying...rather screaming babies, the ghost white face of a stiff as a board child so afraid of the Jolly old Elf she couldn't breathe or the falling beard, horrid back ground, etc. it seemed this picture wasn't meant to be.  With Danny being 8, we've had to explain that not every Santa you meet on the street will be the real deal, it could be "him" but could be his helper - this has put quite the damper on the magic of Christmas let me tell you.  Like every good brother, he felt the need to share the news with his sisters - I'm pretty sure it went right over their heads but still, I didn't realize that talk needed a parental warning.

Well, we were blessed with the real deal this year.  Yes, St. Nick himself!  It was eyes stinging with tears and stares of amazement from not only the kids but from myself and other parents as well.  We were rewarded with kids that welcomed the opportunity to chat with Santa....for as long as they wished.  They were so very star struck, my kids (you know the ones who have been working on their wish lists for over a month) couldn't remember a single gift that they wanted.  Yes, it was amazing.  Santa allowed plenty of time for pictures, so I took lots of them.  He asked the kids to smile nice for Mama - Santa even said cheese!  I took pictures of the kids one by one with Santa and then a group shot to boot.  I took 70 pictures in all.  I was going to capture the picture I had always dreamed of - it was my Christmas wish being granted right there by Santa himself in person!

After chatting with each of my kids, Santa invited all the kids to sit on the floor while he read not one but two books to them.  Santa sat on the floor and read Twas the Night Before Christmas from memory and with such flair that my cheeks hurt from smiling.  Next he read The Magic of Christmas.  I've never seen kids sit so still while anyone read to them!  All the while, smiling parents helicoptered around trying to find the best angles from which to capture this magical time with Santa himself.  Wow!  It was so very amazing.

Mama's holy grail photo awaits you.........