Ho Ho Ho! Merry Birthday
This is our tenth visit to Santa, nine of which have occurred on December 14th–the first one was December 16, 1998 and it was basically a very nervous looking Santa holding a tiny pink bundle (I’d post a picture, but see above re: WordPress suckiness). The first visit Diva Girl ever made, back when she was a Diva Newborn (and she was! The child was born pouting! true story!), was to see Santa. It didn’t mean much to her back then, but it set the stage for a tradition that has continued up to today. We don’t see Santa when he arrives after the parade. We don’t see him when we’re in the mall and he’s there doing is thing. We see Santa on Sabrina’s birthday.
It’s always made the day just a little bit more special, combining it with this seminal childhood memory. It’s a tradition we look forward to all season, from the moment Santa arrives back on the radar we talk going to see him on Sabrina’s birthday; it’s a way to acknowledge the fact that her big day is so close to The Big Day and to make the experience special for everyone.
A little bit too special, maybe. Today, before we left, the Zen Baby asked me if we could ask Santa to come back for her birthday. In March.
( yeah, I did spring for the Rudolph and Clarice Build A Bears. And no I don’t feel embarrassed. It’s like owning a piece of the movie! I totally would have made the Bumble for myself if it had been there.)
(I won’t password the whole blog, just one post. And I’ll pretty much be giving out the password to everyone I recognize or who shows me they’re a long time reader, or who leaves me a valid email and preferably a blog link. The person I would be passwording for no doubt knows who he is–hi!–and could quite possibly make his way around it, but if I’m going to post–and I think I am–it’s just one that, given current circumstances, I don’t feel comfortable having completely out there. And I won’t be getting to it before Sunday–Somehow I lost my mind and told Diva Girl she could have a sleepover birthday party tomorrow. Oy!)
Comment by mayberry
That is adorable! My kids will not go near Claus. Am failure as parent.
Posted on December 14, 2007 at 11:12 pm
Comment by Lady M
That has got to be the most successful Kids & Santa portrait I’ve ever seen! Smiles all around.
Posted on December 14, 2007 at 11:54 pm
Comment by Kate
that is a gorgeous photo, I hope Jboo will be able to get over her santa freak out by next year and have a great picture too. Maybe you could get Santa to write Zen baby a letter for her birthday!!
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 4:45 pm
Comment by MaryP
While I have on occasion taken some daycare tots to see Santa - and even to get their pictures taken as a surprise for parents - I have never, not once, taken my own children to see him. It was never a conscious decision, but merely indicative of how irrelevant he was to our Christmases. And the fact that I loathe standing in lines…
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 8:33 pm
Comment by MaryP
But pictures like yours make it seem potentially worthwhile. I guess 22, 18, and 14 is too old, though, huh?
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 8:34 pm
Comment by Anna
The Girls are beautiful. My three year old son will not go anywhere near Santa, much less sit on his lap. And getting him dressed up? Super fun!
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 8:46 pm
Comment by victoria adams
im not a longtime reader, but i am reading through your archives.
i am not a blogger, i enjoy reading other peoples blogs, especially other moms.
thank you !
victoria adams
Posted on December 15, 2007 at 10:07 pm
Comment by Sheryl
I’m a new reader too (one side benefit of the admittedly awful combination thang at iV was being introduced to your lovely blog. I totally share your thoughts on “funny” mom. How the hell does someone who can’t even write a proper sentence get a paid blogging job?!) Just wanted to say your Ladies are beautiful!
MaryP — thanks for the admission. I, too, hate standing in lines to be overcharged for a photo I feel obligated to buy. The allure of sitting on the big guy’s lap has never been too overwhelming — thank goodness! — for my munchkins (now 9 and 5 1/2).
Posted on December 16, 2007 at 9:05 am
Comment by Kimberly
Thanks everybody. I may be biased, but damn! that is a great picture!
I’ve always had great Santa luck–10 photos and not a screamer in the bunch!
I don’t stand in line either. My secret? Diva Girl skives off school on her birthday
The price though, I totally agree there. When I got the first picture, it was $5. I paid $20 for that one. Complete rip off. And yet, Diva Girl loves them. And I love the idea that when she’s grown she’ll have this little slide show showcases how she grew and changed year to year through a series of photos all taken on the same day.
Santa IS big in our house, but I think that’s a post unto itself.
To all the new people from iVillage, Hi, and welcome! I’m thrilled that you followed me here! The password (coming soon) post isn’t to exclude you, and like I said, I’ll be handing it out pretty freely. There’s one logged IP–hi Rob!–I’ll be looking for, basically.
Posted on December 16, 2007 at 9:32 am
Comment by Eden
Awwww
Posted on December 17, 2007 at 1:57 am
Comment by Recovering Overachiever
My parents have a laminated photo of me with Santa when I was 2 1/2 or so. My face is so red from crying and I’m mid-scream. I think it’s my mom’s favorite holiday photo.
Your girls look very sweet with Santa!
Posted on December 17, 2007 at 2:34 pm
Comment by Marianne not-yet-a-mommy
I just wanted to say what a beautiful birthday pic that is. Santa’s lookin pretty good too for an old guy… not that that matters.
I’ve been enjoying your blog for ages and wish that I could blog half as well as you… last years new years resolution. Start a blog. This years…. write it.
Posted on December 18, 2007 at 12:19 am
Comment by twinsmommy
Loving your blog, have read it since the IV days almost 2 yrs ago now. dying to know what needs to be password protected? how do I contact you to get the password? Is commenting enough? couldn’t find an email.
Posted on December 19, 2007 at 1:12 am