Breakfast with Santa

Every year we go to the neighborhood breakfast with Santa.  You might think we go so the kids have a chance to sit on Santa's lap and tell him what they want for Christmas.  You would only think this if you didn't know how much my kids despise Santa.  Don't get me wrong--they love the image of Santa, the idea of Santa, the distant Santa that lives in the North Pole.  They hate (and hate might be too mild of a word here) sitting on Santa's lap.   

I've never had a kid excited to sit on Santa's lap--ever.  This year might be the best in that Alex was ok with sitting on his lap--and actually did so a few times this year.  Caroline did it for pictures and Carter did it under duress.  But none of them wanted to. 

One day, early in the sesason, we went to the mall and I was stunned to see Santa with no line to stand in--not a single kid waiting to see him.  I asked the kids if they wanted to sit on Santa's lap and they looked at me as if I had just asked them if they would like to give up all their Christmas gifts and spend Christmas day cleaning the house.

So, given the above, you might wonder why we go to breakfast with Santa, if it isn't to see Santa.    We go for the donuts, of course.   

We do try to get a few pictures in...some years better than others

I love this picture because Santa obviously knows that you have to keep an eye on Alex...especially this year.

Aaron would only get near Santa because he had a candy cane (and then it really wasn't by choice)

Most families come in cute matching clothes and the kids look adorable....I am realistic in knowing there is no way we are getting a good picture so we just wear what we want