Dear Old Santa Claus

This is the year of true believing.  It is magic this holiday season, and FFM is being SO SO good. He KNOWS that Santa is watching.  And that Red the Elf on the Shelf flies back to the North Pole every night to give Santa a full report.  He gives me the countdown several times a day, checks our advent calendar, turns the Christmas tree on, sings songs constantly, he smells like cookies and just exudes holiday joy non-stop.

We went to visit Santa (the real one, with the right belt) on a nice, quiet weekday early in the month.  We were turned away as it was a special day for deaf and hard of hearing children to visit Santa.  While he was sad, FFM was very, very good about it, he stood nearby to watch Santa 'talk' with the kids.  We got busy and before we knew it we only had weekend days left to go see Santa.  Off we went, as early as we could.  The wait wasn't bad, everyone in line was jolly, and Santa lived up to all expectations. For those that know him, FFM did his vibrating thing as we got to the head of the line.

 He was so excited to finally get to sit down and have a chat with Santa that it took us several tries to get him to pay attention for a photo.  We aren't too hung up on the photo but these days it's part of getting to see this Santa - if you want to chat with him you have to get a photo.  FFM was so excited it even took a couple of minutes to get around to his list.  He DID remember to wish Santa a Merry Christmas, though.

Santa visits through the years, clockwise from top left 2010, 2009, 2007, 2008.

Things We Learned On Our Walk Today

1. Tricycles should come with snow tires.
2. People should do a better job shoveling their sidewalks.

Checking it twice

'Tis the season for holiday entertainment and last night The Moores, of course, did some going.  All three of us spent the evening downtown at dinner out and the Colorado Symphony Christmas.  It was a spectacular program, exceeded all expectations, and definitely put me (finally) into the holiday spirit.  The concert included the symphony, the Colorado Chorus, and the Colorado Children's Chorale.

When the Children's Chorale came onto stage they entered in the middle of a carol, from the wings and from the aisles in the middle of the audience.  FFM was awed, he knew there were going to be kids singing but I don't think he expected quite the spectacle it ended up being.  As they processed to center stage he leaned over and whispered into my ear, "Mommy, I want to go on stage and sing with the kids, too!"

The grand finale brought Santa himself onto the stage and suddenly FFM got very concerned.  At this point he was sitting on Travis' lap and he explained to Travis that Santa wasn't wearing the right belt.  A little backstory on this comment...We see other Santas around town and this has caused some confusion.  The first time the question came up about the multiple Santas who stray from the North Pole during the busy season (he's a very detail oriented little guy our Mr. F) I explained it's part of the checking who's naughty and nice job.  This passed muster until someone at school told him that the real Santa is the one at Cherry Creek mall and all the others are pretend.  Now he's pretty fixated on that mall Santa being the one true Santa.  We've seen him a couple of times, and F's memory is pretty darn good.  Back to the symphony concert where our 'new' Santa has taken the stage with the wrong belt...

Travis and I look at FFM who insists again and again that Santa is wearing the wrong belt.  What do we do?  He's obviously upset and fervently believes in Santa and KNOWS something is wrong.  I tell him, "Hey, you know this is a special show and that's Santa's special show belt.  He needs one that's extra shiny so everyone in the theater can see it."  FFM wavers... Travis adds, "Look, Santa has a special coat, too.  Doesn't it look different?  I bet he has a lot of different coats for all kinds of different things just like you."  That sealed it.  F's face lights up, the faith is back, he tells us, "I love coats!  I have lots of coats!  I bet Santa does have a lot of coats just like me!"

Phew.

I'll be honest, I don't remember what either Santa belt looked like.  Mr. Minute Detail is going to keep me hopping!

QOTD

During tuck in at nap today:

"Mommy, kisses don't last very long, do they?"

Making a Little Merry

After watching a thrilling football game this morning (go Broncos, Yay Tebow!) we headed across town for our second annual deck the halls at my grandpa's house.  The kids trimmed the tree, the husbands braved temps in the teens to light the great outdoors, and Melinda and I supervised and kept an eye on the cookie supply.
After grandpa's house it was time for dinner, and there is something about a cold and snowy Sunday night that brings take out Chinese to mind. While dishing it up here at home FFM announced,
” One dump for me daddy and two dumps for you.”
Translation-one spoonful of entree please, you get a bigger portion since you are the daddy.