Santa panic....

We went to visit Santa yesterday. It was a largely unsuccessful trip. Joshua (the 22 month old) was fine standing in line and looking at Santa from a distance, but as we picked him up to put him on Santa's lap, he started to FREAK out. I mean crying and screaming and straining to get away. Demian looked at my with apprehension, but I was like, put him on his lap damnit! I didn't get up early and dress them in matching outfits for nothing. I'm a stay-at-home mom and I have to find my happiness in the little things and having a great Santa photo to share with everything was something I was really looking forward to. Last year, both of them were on his lap, but Joshua kept trying to slide off, or they were looking in different directions, or else someone's eyes were closed...you know the drill. Anyway - this was my year. Zachary is five, I don't know how many 'Santa believing' years I have left. I had to take advantage!

We ended up getting Joshua on his lap, but he was shreiking in terror. That's when I realized that not only was the dream over, but I was risking scarring the poor child for life. So, I grabbed him and soothed him. It only took a couple of minutes to calm him back down and during that time I started to realize something. He's right!!! I mean think about it. I'm trying to sit him on some random fat guy's lap? Not only that, but he's wearing a strange outfit and has a creepy long beard? He should be scared - he has not idea about Santa, Christmas, any of that stuff. The only thing that he knows is that he isn't sitting pretty for the strange old man - no sir!! And I can't say I blame him.

So, for those interested, I've attached the picture of Zachary on Santa's lap for your viewing pleasure...just try and picture a smaller boy in the same outfit on the other knee!