Visit With Mr. Clause

This was our first year that we had the kids meet an “official” Santa in costume.  The twins had an encounter when they were 10 month old, but this was the first year that might be remembered.  We went to Bass Pro Shop, and we had to come back to redeem our ticket to see Santa because the line was several hours long.  This was a highly anticipated moment for all three, and I think it was everything that they had hoped it would be… but it was kind of a joke!  Santa reminded me more of Grumpy from the seven dwarves, than a jolly St. Nick, and they had all of fifteen seconds on his lap with a bunch of shouting from the photo lady (not me, the other photo lady) to soundtrack the experience.  Gabe didn’t get to tell Santa about what he wanted, because he was never asked, but we told him that Santa already knew his wishes.  Kind of funny actually.  But, at least it reinforced that the big man does indeed exist.  And the memory of his grumpiness will serve to better ward off naughty behavior?