Rudolph’s Nose is Fire-Engine Red
Ever since our first year, when we waited over 2 hours to see Santa, we have taken a more local approach to getting a visit with the Fat Guy in the red suit. Our homeowner’s association has sponsored Santa the past few years and we’ve had great success getting photos with the Big Guy and his lovely wife. However, Santa’s appearance fee was usually underwritten by a local Real Estate agent who, I imagine, is not feeling so much Christmas Cheer this year.
Seeing as how Santa might be skipping the old homestead, Lovely Wife scouted out new opportunities that would not require us to enter that four-letter word knows as the Mall. She hit the jackpot when a local mom group arranged a meet-up at the San Diego Firehouse Museum where Santa was scheduled to make a visit. All we needed to bring was a new, unwrapped gift. So, we grabbed the never-been-opened Candyland that the twins received for their birthday (we already had Candyland) and we headed to the firehouse.
Swee’Pea and TheMonk had both scouted out what they wanted to ask Santa last week at Target when we went shopping to find a toy to donate to needy children for our YMCA toy drive. Swee’Pea and TheMonk did a great job finding a toy to donate but also came away with ideas for their own gifts. Swee’Pea wanted a Barbie Mariposa Mermaid (which, according to the reviews, is a piece of crap – but whataya gonna do?) and TheMonk decided that he simply wanted a race car.
Rather than buy the gifts early, I decided to wait until after the Santa visit since last year’s debacle where TheMonk changed it up on me when he finally got his one-on-one time with Santa. But, it turned out, I didn’t need to worry. The only thing TheMonk was concerned about was his insistence that he be clear with Santa that he wanted a “Pretend Race Car” because if Santa brought a real Race Car, that would be a problem. Because, you know, TheMonk can’t drive.
So, with plan in hand, we perused the antique fire trucks waiting for Santa to arrive. Which he did, arriving in a Hook & Ladder truck with lights and sirens blaring. We had scoped out a good spot and Swee’Pea and TheMonk were the third and fourth kids to sit on old Santa’s lap.
It was another fine Santa encounter. Happy Holidays to you and yours.
9 Comments
RSS feed for comments on this post.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.
Such a great place to see Santa. I love the picture where they’re all three looking at the camera.
Comment by Maura — December 14, 2009 @ 2:43 am
Very cute. You were quite wise to postpone shopping until the post-Santa visit. Trust me there was some serious “guidance” in the letter writing this year at my house.
Comment by Nancy — December 14, 2009 @ 12:39 pm
It’s a really good thing that TheMonk specified his need for a *pretend* race car. Phew. That would have been a total drag if Santa brought a real one.
Comment by Bree — December 14, 2009 @ 12:49 pm
That looks like fun!
Comment by Deanna — December 15, 2009 @ 1:07 am
That looks like quite an entrance by Santa. The photos look more “authentic” with the brick and tree. MUCH nicer than the typical plastic background at the mall.
Comment by Grace — December 15, 2009 @ 7:00 am
That is very smart. Every time I find an event online it says that Santa will be showing up. Why would anyone ever head to the Mall??
If I ever have kids, I will definitely have to keep this trick in mind (Along with waiting until after the child/Santa conversation to occur).
Comment by Kellee — December 15, 2009 @ 8:58 am
So cute! Enjoy it while you can. Kids these days are very wise. A certain grandson told me there was no such thing as Santa. I was crushed!
Comment by Aunt Raina — December 15, 2009 @ 9:39 am
Good move! Mall Santas are highly over-rated (says she who has stood in the line FOUR times already this year…) The kids are getting SO big!
Comment by Angela — December 15, 2009 @ 10:53 pm
Do I win?
Comment by Melanie @ Mel, A Dramatic Mommy — December 15, 2009 @ 10:53 pm