12.21.12 ~ Believe

It's been tough this year to fit in the Christmas merrymaking because both Jason and I have had so much work to do. But it was important to take Liam to see Santa at Macy's for several reasons. One, that's as real as Santa gets, people. Two, we've done it every other year and have to keep the tradition alive. And three, Liam announced about a month ago that Santa is not real. I thought it was a little funny when he said that with such confidence - but Jason, who believed in Santa until his preteen years, was horrified. So we've been playing up the Santa thing ever since and seeing Santa is definitely part of that.

We wanted to go see Santa in the morning when the lines aren't so long, but missed the boat on that all week. So I was determined to take the kids after school today - our last chance before we leave for Baltimore.

As I was gathering Liam's things from the classroom this afternoon, I asked him if he wanted to see Santa. His response: "Is Santa going to tell me I was bad?" Uh. Apparently, we have been using "BE GOOD. Santa is WATCHING!!" a little too much. I reassured him that Santa would not tell him he's been bad and that Santa has also been watching his good moments. To which he replied "I'm going to ask him how he can see me". This kid is really something. 

We waited in line for about an hour - Jason swooped in from work at the very end, just as we were entering Santa Land. Santa Land is like a North Pole, twinkly light, version of a really elaborate Chucky Cheese show. There is music and mechanical dancing animals and a train display and fake snow and total stimulation overload. As we walked through there both kids were in complete awe. Liam stared at (and tried to touch) everything and Nora chatted away and waved at all the electronics.

Once we finally made it to Santa's cabin, I plopped Nora on his lap, much to her horror - though, shockingly she didn't cry. And Liam reluctantly climbed in Santa's lap and then sat there in silence. Not a peep about his Christmas wishes even after Santa asked a second time.

When we got home and were sitting at the table eating dinner Liam asked whether we could go back to see Santa again. He said this time he would tell him what he wants. I think Liam was a little afraid that Santa wouldn't know what to bring him. I told him I'd pass the message along and not to worry. Then he stared at his picture with Santa for a long time. I think he believes again.