Santa

this year Santa was (and still is!) a hit

there was no hesitating or crying

only quiet excitement and, what appeared to be, comfortable camaraderie.

in fact, Max returned several times

(while Laila was getting her face painted)

just to peer up at the jolly old elf.

He seemed unable to decide which was more fascinating- the man in the beard

or the fun choo choo train.

And coming in at an extremely close second were Santa’s lucky reindeer.

Max would go right up to the fence with

a friendly “hi reindeer” and the animal would immediately turn away, looking for some escape,

only to find Max had followed him around the fence corner with another bright “hi reindeer.”

We’ve fielded many a santa-related question like

Where does Santa keep his sleigh?

Where does Santa live?

Does Santa want me to say sorry?

Do his reindeer make toys?

Are you Santa, daddy?

and enjoyed frequent role-plays where she is

Santa bringing me gifts in festive gift bags.

Or when Max runs around the house

with a home-fashioned trumpet through which he shouts “HO HO HO”

Yes. I think Santa is now a friend.