Let me start by saying that I wasn't sure if we were going to get a photo of the kids with Santa this year. Last year's photo took weeks of major bribing and a list of conditions by Jessalyn ("He can't look at me, I won't sit on his lap, I'll only stand next to him, I won't talk to him, I'll write him a letter but you have to hand it to him, he can't wear his glasses, I don't want him to talk to me..."). The year before I couldn't pay Jessalyn to be in the same building with Santa, much less sit on his lap.
This year Jessalyn wasn't too keen on the idea all over again. I'd make a nonchalant suggestion every now and then which would be immediately shot down (even though I reminded her how brave she was last year and how nice Santa was to her). Before I had a chance to think up a really great bribe, Jessalyn declared that she would take a photo with Santa. "What changed your mind?" I asked. "Well, when I sit on Santa's lap, I'm going to ask him if he's the real Santa, or one of Santa's helpers." "That's a good question," I replied. Gulp. I wonder if Santa has gotten that one before.
Now, for the request. Jessalyn has been asking for a puppy for the past few months. I told her that we had two cats and we weren't getting a puppy. "OK, but when can I get a puppy!?" "Not for a long time, if we ever get a puppy." "But I really, really, really want one!"
Her first written request of Santa:
In case you're having trouble deciphering this jumbled letter, it reads (or what it's supposed to say is) "Santa I want a real dog."
Fast-forward several weeks. We are shopping at our favorite and most-frequented spot, Wally-World, when Jessalyn spies a toy dog. And not just any toy dog, but a dog that barks, walks and plays tug-of-war: Lucky, the Incredible Wonder Pup. "Oh, Mama, I want him! We have to get him!" I kindly explain to her that we don't buy toys when we go to the store, especially this close to Christmas. "But, but, but...." Sulky face. It is our practice, however, to pick out a toy to admire and play with during our shopping excursion and then put back on the shelf before it is time to go. As Jessalyn is holding and pining over Lucky, she declares, "Mama, I hate to tell you this, but it says, 'Take Me Home!'" Drat those reading skills! "Yes, it does say 'Take Me Home!', but we're not taking him home. You can ask Santa for him if you really want him that badly."
Her second written request of Santa:
"Dear Santa I rally rally rally rally rally want a dog. A toy that walks and plays tug of war. Jessalyn." "I love you, love Jessalyn." The drawing is of a reindeer and the wonder pup.
Jessalyn's class took a field trip to the bank last week to meet Santa. Here is Jessalyn making her request for Lucky:
She forgot to ask him if he was the real deal, though.
Then I got my chance to get a photo of Jessalyn and Lee with Santa together. Jessalyn did great. Lee did, too, but wasn't too thrilled about the situation. At least he waited until the photo was over to start crying.
We still have lots of fun stuff to look forward to this Christmas season including Jessalyn's youth choir performance, get-togethers with friends, school Christmas parties, baking cookies, visiting with family and much, much more. Stay tuned...
