Thursday, December 21, 2006



The Santa Experience . . .
and Some Christmas Funnies


Today, we took our trek to the mall to see the "real" Santa (as opposed to my friend Ryan, who you might remember we visited the other day in order to "warm" Sydney up for going to see the Real Guy). On the way over, she looked at us with an incredulous expression on her face when we asked if she was actually going to talk with Santa and sit on his lap. She rolled her eyes and said, "I not afraid ofSanta this year"--as if we were crazy to even ask the question.

She still hadn't convinced me (last year, she said all the way through the line that she'd sit in his lap and "I love Santa," but then cried the whole time he held her-see the photo evidence a little further down in this post) . . . but she surprised me! She did great!! She smiled real big, sat on his lap, and had an entire conversation with him. Very cool!

The experience made me think of the other Santa Experiences we have had over the years. So, I thought I'd take a walk down Memory Lane. Join me if you'd like.

When McKenna was the only little girl in our life. I'm guessing this is 1995, when she was 3 . . .



Then here are McKenna and Delaney in 2001 (I looked EVERYWHERE for the one back around 1998 that has Delaney attempting to leap off of Santa's lap, she's so freaked out! That one was an absolutely priceless photo!) . . .



Then, with Sydney last year in the famous "I love Santa, I sit on his lap . . . No, no what was I thinking! Get me out of here!" episode . . .



And then two pics from today. (Sydnedy told him she wanted a Dora Cash Register, ad Delaney told him that she would be sending him a letter. Even McKenna talked to him, telling him she just wants enough money to go to London next summer. Lol!) . . .





(BTW--Each and every one of those pictures just shows what a casual, don't-care Mom I am. Look at what my kids are wearing! They've got on jeans and mismatched clothes; McKenna even has pajama pants in the one from last year! LOL There are always the cutest kids in line with their matching Christmas-themed outfits and hair put up in candy-cane bows. My kids? Let's throw something on and go see Santa. But that's just how we are!)

So, aside from the Traffic from You-Know-Where we had to battle to actually park and get to the mall, the trip was a resounding success. We now have talked with Santa--one more check off of my Christmas list. Not a whole lot more to go . . . thank goodness!

After our visit to Santa, I came home and checked my email and found the perfect message in my In Box. It was called "Dear Santa" and is really cute. Thought I would share it with you . . .

"Dear Santa,

I've been a good mom all year. I've fed, cleaned and cuddled my children on demand, visited the doctor's office more than my doctor, and sold sixty-two cases of candy bars to raise money to plant a shade tree on the school playground.

I was hoping you could spread my list out over several Christmases, since I had to write this letter with my son's red crayon, on the back of a receipt in the laundry room between cycles, and who knows when I'll find any more free time in the next 18 years.

Here are my Christmas wishes: I'd like a pair of legs that don't ache (in any color, except purple,
which I already have) and arms that don't hurt or flap in the breeze; but are strong enough to pull my screaming child out of the candy aisle in the grocery store.

I'd also like a waist, since I lost mine somewhere in the seventh month of my last pregnancy.

If you're hauling big ticket items this year, I'd like fingerprint resistant windows and a radio that only plays adult music; a television that doesn't broadcast any programs containing talking animals; and a refrigerator with a secret compartment behind the crisper where I can hide to talk on the phone.

On the practical side, I could use a talking doll that says, "Yes, Mommy" to boost my parental confidence, along with two kids who don't fight, and three pairs of jeans that will zip all the way up without the use of power tools.

I could also use a recording of Tibetan monks chanting "Don't eat in the living room" and "Take your hands off your brother," because my voice seems to be just out of my children's hearing range and can only be heard by the dog.

If it's too late to find any of these products, I'd settle for enough time to brush my teeth and comb my hair in the same morning, or the luxury of eating food warmer than room temperature without it being served in a Styrofoam container.

If you don't mind, I could also use a few Christmas miracles to brighten the holiday season. Would it be too much trouble to declare ketchup a vegetable? It will clear my conscience immensely. It would be helpful if you could coerce my children to help around the house without demanding payment as if they were the bosses of an organized crime family.

Well, Santa, the buzzer on the dryer is ringing and my son saw my feet under the laundry room door. I think he wants his crayon back. Have a safe trip and remember to leave your wet boots by the door and come in and dry off so you don't catch cold.

Help yourself to cookies on the table but don't eat too many or leave crumbs on the carpet.

Yours Always, MOM...!

P.S. One more thing...you can cancel all my requests if you can keep my children young enough to believe in Santa."

I thought that was so good--I can definitely relate with pretty much all of that (especially the ketchup request!). My children are definitely a challenge--and finding time to be an individual and a woman amidst the motherhood is very difficult sometimes--but they are also my greatest Pride and Joy! And sometimes you just want to look at them and say, "Stay little a little bit longer, please!"

And now, I just had to share two more Christmas funnies with you. (I just LOVED the one at the top of my post!) Thanks to cousin Melissa for sending these to me! I love em!



28 comments:

aimee said...

Forget about matching outfits! You are such a good mom for actually taking your kids to the mall to see Santa! I tried that one year and never again. We find somewhere else! :) The pictures were cute! And the snowmen funnies were hilarious!!

~grey said...

Such cute photos.... I love going through old photos of the kids...

My daughter did the same thing as Scout. Say she wasn't scared all the way through the line... then at the last minute sat down and wouldn't move. She cried and cried... then got her big brother to go tell Santa what she wanted. She was probably about 3... times sure flies.

I love the Dear Santa letter!!!
oh soooo true!

Jenn said...

I love coming to your blog...it's always such cute stuff..and funny too, like today. Plus, the music is always incredible. Hunter cried last year with Santa but this year wants to hug him and all the Disney characters!! It's hard to figure them out sometimes!!

Your pictures are adorable and bravo to you for being such a great mom to not sweat the small stuff...looks like it makes the girls relaxed and happy!! (and gorgeous at the same time:)

Susie Q said...

What precious pictures! You did good Mom!

The stories that go with them are just smile makers. What great memories...even the silly events make for great memories when the kids grow up!

LOVE the funnies! I am giggling and what better way to head off to bed huh? : )

Stay well!

Warmly,
Sue

Anonymous said...

I love them all, Cheryl! Such cute pictures!
And the snowmen sure made me laugh.

Unknown said...

Those pictures are gorgeous! I love your childrens names too. Those cartoons are so funny, my fave being the first one. It was nice to come by and see your blog, i'm glad you liked my meme I am going to look for yours now!

Missy Glave said...

You Santa pictures are adorable ... and the stories so cute! I love the fact that your daughters are dressed as they normally would be. We did that with Griffin when we took him to see Santa ... he's a normal kid with normal clothes. We aren't fancy people.

The funnies ... too cute! Thank you for giving me a giggle.

~Telah said...

Love those funnies. Always enjoy seeing something like that to help with the stress we sometimes feel at this "crunch time". I have some pretty interesting pics of our years past with Santa too. I need to put this year's up on my blog...Santa has a wandering eye! LOL

Renee said...

I need to write a letter to Santa; that's something I haven't done in years.

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed the letter to Santa. I can totally relate. And I sent it on to my playgroup moms.

I managed to NOT have to take the kids to the mall to see Santa! He came to my daughter's preschool and they let Clayton stay to see Santa.

Have a Merry Christmas!

Unknown said...

Santa hasn't changed a bit in those pictures :P
I'll be back later.

Cheryl Wray said...

Aimee--We were just excited that we got to the mall, to see Santa, and out of the mall in like 30 minutes. Was really pretty amazing!
D--Was so proud of Scout this year!! One of my fave things to do is sit down and go through old photos.
Jenn--Well, Sydney did like most of the characters at DW this year too. So I think she's finally getting over the fear!
Sue--A good laugh is always a good thing!
Ang--Thanks!! Would love to see you sometime soon!
Carmel--Thanks for stopping by! Drop by again!
Missy--Anyone who knows us knows we're not fancy people! Just casual and laid-back (and kinda cheap, too! LOL)
Telah--Oh no!! A wandering eye Santa. I gotta hear about that!! lol
Renee--Definitely write a letter to him. You never know what he might bring you!
Kelly--That's great that he came to preschool. Have a WONDERFUL Christmas!!
Gareth--See ya!!

Lynilu said...

What a great post . . . chuckles and misty moments together! Merry Christmas!

Josie said...

hehe...i love all the christmas funnies. And I will have to pass along that dear mom letter to a few people!

Andy said...

love the post. the dear santa letter is great. i got a good laugh from that. the pics of the girls are all great. and the last cartoon reminds me of my dad. i think that he is the only person that i know that likes fruit cake. when i asked my mom what to get him for Christmas she said you know he likes fruit cake and no one ever gets it for him. well i did this year. he may have to much to enjoy it anymore. who knows.

Cheryl Wray said...

Lynilu--Love that--"chuckles and misty moments together." Isn't that what life's all about?
Josie--I thought that letter was great!
Andy--That is SO funny about the fruitcake! You know that there's got to be people out there who eat them, or they wouldn't keep making them!
Kathryn--We also emailed him. Go to www.claus.com. It works just fine! lol

Anonymous said...

"SIGH" I guess I know where I stand in the Santa Claus hierarchy...maybe one day I'll get a promotion to "real" Santa.

Jolene George said...

Love the pictures of your beautiful daughter with Santa...and the Christmas funnies are just what I needed today. Thanks!

Anonymous said...

LOL, they are too cute!!!!!

Mississippi Songbird said...

Great photos and funny Christmas cards! Thanks so much for sharing..

Mz.Elle said...

Aww your girls look so cute with Santa!
I used to dress mine up now...not so much,lol
I loved the funnies.
Poor fruitcake;)

TJ said...

Hi Cheryl...I'm stopping in to say thanks for visiting my blog...cute Santa pics!!
:-D

Nancy said...

I love the precious pictures. Such great memories and still making memories. ENJOY!

Cheryl Wray said...

Ryan--You are a wonderful Santa! Just taking her to see one who might actually bring the presents she asks for. (Unless you're footing the bill, then you're the Santa for us...)
Jolene--Glad they gave you a laugh!
Adrienne, Songbird, Ms. L--Thanks!!
Tammy--Welcome!! Come on by anytime!!
Nancy--We are having a good holiday!!

Leah said...

Those cartoons are hilarious and cute kiddos!
Merry Christmas!

Phats said...

How freakin' adorable is she! So cute, and a great picture this year!

I liked the snowman comic making the baby that was funny.

AngelConradie said...

i love the cartoons- and the "dear santa" letter is very cute!
the pictures are fabulous, i must really try and scan all the pictures i have of damien at christmas time, it'll be fun to see how he's grown!

Jeff said...

I'm just catching up on the blog for this week after a crazy week at work. The bunny going after the snowmen with the hair dryer cracked me up!
Love all the Santa photos! A nice time capsule right there in one blog post.
I'm off to answer the Tuesday question now :)