Santa!

It is a minor Christmas miracle that both kids like Santa. Ben and Clara are fearful of big characters or what is known around our house as, "big, scary puppets." We had another great trip to see Santa at the local photography studio. They have figured out how to do it right- you have an appointment time just for you, Santa and Mrs. Claus greet the kids by name and after pictures you have warm cookies with Santa. What could be better?

We embarked on another St. Nick escapade this past weekend. “Pop-Pop” is in town visiting (Leah’s dad) and we all took a ride on the Santa Train at the NC Museum of Transportation. We took about a half hour ride with Santa and his elves on one of the beautiful old trains. The day was cold and wet…it added to the adventure, to bundle up and wait on the old train platform.

Each child received an orange and a peppermint stick. It is a long standing tradition that dates back to the Great Depression. Kids would line up along the tracks and the crew would toss to the children oranges and candy, for many it was the only Christmas gift they received. Whether our kids understood the meaning or not, they clung to those oranges as true treasures and were so excited to eat them when we returned home.

As much as the kids love Santa they have their limits.  When talking to Ben about leaving out cookies for Santa he said, "O.K., we can do that.  But you need to be sure to save some cookies for me."  Leah told him to check with daddy on that one.