This weekend we took the kids to see Santa at the Hilldale Mall where Saint Nick comes free of charge for picture taking, Christmas list reciting (two chairs, some socks and a toy car) and apparently even a bit of caroling as he didn’t bat an eye lash at MM’s request that they sing jingle bells. Dan and I were very impressed, although the singing made it difficult to get a good picture. Luckily out of the 10 or so that I snapped I did get this gem.

Santa was very quick on his feet – when MM asked if he remembered him, Santa said, “of course, you are the boy who is always smiling, right?” and MM grinned. Yes, that was him alright. He was thrilled that Santa remembered.

And little BB also did great. Just like last year she was not freaked out at all by being asked to sit in a stranger’s lap (although honestly, maybe we as a society should be?) and she even almost smiled this time which was a step up from last year.

2010

As I mentioned last year, I apparently dropped the ball for a few years and couldn’t find any pictures from 2007-2009. I distinctly remember taking pictures of MM with Santa but don’t apparently have any proof. Only the memory of stressful Santa memories past.

I think it’s easy to get caught up in the stress of getting that perfect Santa picture  and the pressure to spend  gads of money doing it at the larger malls, which to me seems silly when you can get a free picture at smaller shopping centers, local banks, Christmas tree farms and more. If it came down to it, I’d sooner buy a Santa costume than pay $20+ for a Polaroid at the mall.

This year, I really feel like we nailed it. I got the kids slightly dressed up (last year I neglected to do so and I swear Santa (or was that just one of his helpers that year?) could barely muster the enthusiasm to talk to our kids while I took a picture. Apparently there’s an unspoken dress code) but I decided to throw away any preconceived notions of how this had to go and not worry too much about the picture. I snapped a handful while the kids chatted with Santa and mentally decided that their time with Saint Nick was more important to me than the photograph that I took. So of course I love the one I got and the kids had a good time, too. Perfect.

MM and Santa in 2006

We’ve come a long way since that first Santa picture back in 2006. No more babies, now I’ve got two big kids who are full of questions and personality ; who LOVE all things Christmas. And momma has finally figured out how to embrace the Christmas spirit without strangling it or stressing out over all the little things… At least… I’m doing a bit better.

Can you even imagine what Christmas 2012 will bring?