True confession: I have never taken my children to see Santa. Something about waiting in a long line in the mall (for the record I despise malls) surrounded by screaming children turns me off. More importantly, while the pictures are usually funny the poor kids are often terrified. I just could never bring myself to subject my kids to being so frightened by someone they're supposed to love and adore.
Last weekend after mass, I was shocked to hear them announce that Santa was actually in the parish hall and would be taking pictures with the kids - for free, none-the-less. I decided this was the time we had to give it a go. Much shorter line, much better environment (did I mention they had free donuts?) Mac and Paige were pretty jazzed until they actually saw Santa. Then, as expected, they were both hiding behind my knees. I had no intention of being in this picture but Paige refused to sit anywhere near Santa without me. So, after five years of missing the Santa photo op, here it is in all it's cheesy glory.