Santa Claus has come to town

and this year, Kendall has taken notice!  We have had several opportunities this December to see the jolly man in the red suit & white beard ...

12.04.2011    The 1st time she saw Santa Claus was at our North Pole Express train adventure in Grapevine.  It was there that she realized and said aloud (as we saw him from across the room) "He a man."  I guess until then, to her, Santa was just a cartoon character on tv, or in books that we've read ... I didn't realize she didn't understand that he was a guy.  (Throughout the rest of December, Daddy & I took several opportunities to talk to her about what a nice guy he was, that he loved children, that he made toys for children.)  But, she saw him that night, for the 1st time (that she could remember) in the train station's general store ... couldn't say a word to him and especially didn't want to sit on his lap ... but decided she could go see him with us all together.  So hand in hand, that's what we did ...

Later that night, when Santa arrived on our North Pole Express train car, she did talk to him ... she quietly told him that she wanted a kitchen for Christmas ... and said thank you when he gave her a special bell ... all from the comfort of her Pops' safe lap.

12.06.2011    A few days later, Santa & Mrs. Claus made a special appearance at our preschool.  Each class came out to see them.  My little class was just finishing up our visit, when Kendall's class came out for their turn.  She was first in line (which I was hesitant about since I thought she'd do better after she saw several of her classmates do it & be just fine) ... but once they arrived in line, her sweet (and very brave, confident) little friend Haley, just kept on walking (out of line, by this time) right on up to the sleigh Santa & Mrs. Claus were sitting in.  Haley reached up for Santa to put her on his lap and started talking a mile a minute about what she wanted him to bring her ... she was fantastic!  Kendall & I stood there watching Haley chat away to Santa ... I encouraged her to go see them just like Haley was doing ... and then it was Kendall's turn.  She did sit on his lap easily ... she did answer his questions and (quietly) tell him what she wanted for Christmas ... her Christmas wish list:  a kitchen (which we've been priming her for), a baby doll and a juice box (the last 2 items she added in herself).  However, she would not smile for a picture.

12.10.2011    Daddy's company had a "Breakfast with Santa" this year as their company holiday party.  Their CEO dressed up as Santa ... Kendall was a little hesitant to see him up close at first (maybe because Santa's beard was a little off ?), but she did sit on his lap for a few pictures ... although she kept her serious face.

12.14.2011    We've had Pops staying with us each week, while he is working in DFW.  He had a random mid-week day off, so the 3 of us visited his favorite stores Cabella's and Bass Pro Shop.  At Bass Pro, there were several fun games and a craft area set up ... and a {free} Reindeer Carousal and a {free} picture with Santa.  This time, we walked right up to Santa, sat on his lap and told him what she wanted, quietly.

12.17.2011    Our final encounter with Santa was at the North East Mall ... Today.  She was all dressed up in her Christmas dress, well rested and fed and we headed to the mall.  After a small debrief, she was repeating the instructions about seeing Santa ... see Santa, sit on his lap, smile, get candy, yeah!  Yes, we did give her a small bribe of a starburst if she would sit on his lap and actually smile at the camera ... for just. one. picture!  With the excitement of candy, she did just that ... amazing!  We were very thankful that the line wasn't too long (only 6 other families in front of us) and we were next to the indoor fountain, which Kendall loved looking at.  (For the record, she also happily talked to him, and told him the 3 things she wanted ... a kitchen, a baby doll and a juice box.)  So, we bought the digital image!  Here's Kendall (in the best Santa picture she's had) at 2.5 years old ...

We really didn't know how she would react to going to see Santa this year ...we just keep expecting a screaming cry picture experience, but it didn't happen this year, either.  Here's Little Miss with Santa ... the previous two years ... where has the time gone?

at 7 months, 2009:

and at 19 months, 2010: