Santa Claus Is Coming
One of the perks of John’s parents’ new neighborhood here in Richmond is that Santa comes to visit a couple of weeks before Christmas. Aka, we get to avoid the mall crowd and be one of a dozen or so families that get to meet the Clauses. Though Clara, who’s currently in a super shy stage, only got about this close to Saint Nick.
We weren’t expecting a quiet lap sitting to happen this year, so we weren’t surprised when Clara kept her distance (her Santa obsession only extends to cartoon/inflatable Santas apparently). But her shyness started to melt away when the red-suited guy broke out a story.
She immediately plopped down next to her cousin Emanuel, held his hand (cue the collective “aww”) and intently watched Santa read The Night Before Christmas.
Actually, the quiet sitting only lasted for a few pages of the story. Emanuel got excited when a train made an appearance in the book, which got Clara up and slowly inching closer to Mr. Claus.
By the end of the evening, I think we got within two feet. And we even managed to get a “bye bye Santa!” squeal on our way out. Maybe the lap will happen next year…
Comment
If you enjoyed this post, please leave a comment or subscribe to the feed and get future articles delivered to your feed reader.
The hand holding is so dang cute! Also, there is something about baby jeans and boots that makes my heart melt. That little fashionista Clara is taking after her mama!
OMG……could she be any cuter! Love her boots!
She is just precious. What a sweet neighborhood tradition!
You know it’s a good story when the thumb goes in the mouth. I have many a picture of my cousin and I at Clara’s age watching TV intently with thumbs in our mouths! It must be such a joy to watch the wonder in her eyes…or the sizing up of Santa! Happy Holidays!
yes, thumb in mouth equals intense concentration! lol
How cute!!!
Our Santa is someone who my husband works with. I did not think my 4 year old would remember meeting Skip last year (in regular work attire & minimal beard).
After hanging with Good Ole Santa/Skip last weekend my kiddo whispered to me ‘Mommy, I think he works with Daddy when it isn’t Christmas Time…’
These kids are too smart.
Haha- that’s so cute!
xo,
s
So cute! There was something similar in Charlottesville, though we did not have nearly as peaceful as a time as you did. You can see our son’s reaction here:
http://amelia77.wordpress.com/2011/12/07/proof-that-were-only-ok-parents/
Next year, we’re following your lead and letting our son call the shots!
Aw man, I totally feel for ya! Clara did not wanna get on that lap!
xo,
s
STOP. The hand-holding? The thumb-sucking? I can’t handle all of that cuteness in one post. ;)
So sweet! Thanks for sharing!
I have photographic evidence that I was terrified multiple times each year by holiday figureheads. Sobbing while being held by Santa. Screaming with the poor guy in the Easter Bunny costume. Crying at the sight of the person in the Red Robin suit at the restaurant – yes, I was even a teenager at that one. Still terrified of mascots at sports games.
Clara will totally grow out of it though, she got voluntarily closer than I ever did. :)
Sooo cute! I can’t blame her being a little suspicious of Santa. I was terrified of him for years!
Oh my. The hand holding has done me in. What a sweet child!
Cutest cousins ever!
This is one of the most adorable things ever! Such sweet photos!
Toddlers in little bootcut jeans are SO FREAKING CUTE!
Clara is so lucky to have close-in-age cousins nearby.
My favorite is the thumb sucking…so adorable. I love her open-handed thumb sucking technique in this and all the previous photos, too. Cracks me up.
I totally love that you didn’t force her on the big guys lap.
Unfortunately, I’m not as nice a mother and plopped Isla June down for a screaming her head off pic. I couldn’t resist. Here’s hoping she doesn’t need counseling.
Haha- we knew she might not be down for that (she has been extremely shy around people with beards for a while now- so random!) so we tried to resist. Thankfully we got those pics during storytime!
xo,
s
Its so lovely, makes me long for my childhood days
Omgosh she is so cute! Your post reminds me of this hilarious Santa photo I came across last night: http://www.thelamesauce.com/the-santa-debacle/
Haha- I love the belt buckle call out!
xo,
s
She’s so adorable. Not quite a little girl, not quite a baby. I’ve decided that we won’t do Santa pictures with my son (who will be one next week) until he asks to visit Santa. But being able to see him and have story-time sounds much better than the rush of plopping them down on a strange guy’s lap, flashing bright lights, and moving on. No wonder they get so flustered!
My father looks very santa-esque and is constantly being whispered too or about (even at church!). Well, my daughter (now 7)at about almost 2 years used to dance with a battery santa that sang jingle bell rock…when asked what she was doing, would reply, “dancing with papa”! She even shouted “hi papa” to the mall santas….hehehe
So cute!
xo,
s
Hand holding + thumb sucking= melted heart. Seriously so sweet!
Such a great age.
And props to you guys for not forcing her on the lap.
I’m ready to give birth to my first baby in 11 days, and I’m actually getting emotional (hello hormones!) at all the wonderful memories you are creating with Clara, and all I have to look forward to with my son! Thank you for sharing!
Clara is so adorable!! I love how she inched closer & closer to Santa.
Aw man. Clara makes me smile. I used to make my mom stand in line at the mall for Santa EVERY YEAR, and EVERY YEAR I would chicken out once we’d get up to the front. At least, my mother was pretty understanding. Looks like you guys are too!
This is so cute!
Emanuel, held his hand (cue the collective “aww”)
Awwwww!! So cute. Looks like a good Santa and Mrs. Claus too!
This is so cute! How did you get a private Santa visit? Did John’s parents hire them to come to their house for their grandkids? Or is that John’s parents dressed up as Santa and Mrs Claus??
This is just a get-together organized by their neighborhood organization. The Clauses are some other residents that have apparently don’t this for a few years.
-JOhn
My future non-existent children are screwed if they’re hesitant around people with beards. My dad’s beard turns whiter every year and I would be lying if I wasn’t trying to convert him into Santa. One of our family friends is Santa during the holidays, maybe you could find one to introduce her to in the “off-season!.”
What a cozy, charming way for the kids to see Santa! And you couldn’t ask for a more lovely backdrop for photos!
My 5 month old just met Santa for the first time today. Our library has Santa come to story time which was really nice because, like you, I really didn’t want to head out to a crazy mall just for a photo op. I was excited to get a couple shots to put on our blog though.
Merry Christmas!
Our son is very shy around Santa, not sure if it’s fear or suspicion, but he doesn’t want to get too close. When he was under 1, we just stuck him on his lap. We skipped 1 and then at 2 last year there was no convincing him to get on Santa’s lap. Best we could do was getting within arm’s length of Santa to retrieve a candy cane that Santa offered. It made for a cute picture.
Not that you don’t have enough on your plate, but did you get the monthly photo done?
No, we’re so behind! It’s on our to-do list for tomorrow.
-John
I wonder what would have happened if Santa had a puppy on his lap?
LOL, true. Maybe we need a dog version of Santa…
-John
So cute. You are so lucky to be able to avoid the malls! This seems nice and cozy. Like a personal visit from Santa! She is adorable.
Ahh so adorable!
My boyfriend has a beard and babies are fascinated with him…whenever he holds one they stare intently at it for a while and then ever so gently, pet it..haha. Its freaking adorable.
Awwwwh I love those two kiddos!! Clara is so lucky to have her cousins so close in proximity! I grew up with 5 of my cousins as practically my sisters and brothers and wouldn’t trade it for the world.
OMG — even though I’m more of a dog person than a kid person, she is adorable!! Holding her cousin’s hand and the other thumb in her mouth! I know we don’t see her 24 hours a day, but Clara just seems to be one of the sweetest little girls I have ever seen. She is too precious!
omg the cousin hand-holding! I just died from the cuteness
She did a lot better than I did my first (and only) time with Santa. I peed on him and simultaneously burst into tears.
So, GO CLARA!
I read your blog regularly /daily to be precise… I love the family and Am in love with Burger and clara!!
But this is first time I am commenting. as these pics are so so soooooooo damn cute could not hold myself :))))
adorable. luv it, especially in light of her “I love you, Santa!!!!” at home. and then the reticence in person. kids are awesome.
Adorable!!! :)
So sweet! Our little Nicholas, who is 2 on december 26, loves Santa. He was not afraidand happily bounded with his brothers into Santa’s lap! Took us by surprise that he was that lovable!
SOOOOO sweet. As a former thumb sucker, I’m a ‘sucker’ for those kids (cue the boos for that bad pun). I wouldn’t be surprised if next year Clara bestows one of her ‘tackle hugs’ on Santa :)
Oh my goodness that is so cute! I wish our neighborhood had something like that. What a great idea!!!
So cute! I bet she’ll sit in his lap next year! It usually takes a year or two for kids to warm up to Santa!
You know, Mrs. Claus works as a nurse on my community screening team when she isn’t Mrs. Claus-ing. I read this post last night and was shocked and delighted to see a photo of her in costume. I usually see her in her nursing uniform and haven’t had the pleasure of seeing her doing her Claus thing.
No way! She was awesome! Don’t tell Santa, but Clara loves Mrs. Claus the most (no beard = less scary)!
xo,
s
THAT is so cute! I just love her!! Merry Christmas! :)
Aw thanks! Merry Christmas to you too!
xo,
s
if only santa had a pet dog… ha.
I know, right?!
xo,
s
she’s not the only one.
http://www.google.com/search?q=scared+of+santa&hl=en&client=safari&rls=en&prmd=imvns&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=fcbrTr29JoGPigLy6oTFBA&ved=0CDIQsAQ&biw=1276&bih=690
Oh man that’s too funny! Looks like she’s in good company!
xo,
s