Visits with Santa

This was our 3^rd trip to visit with Santa this month.  This first visit was just to reacquaint Melanie with the jolly man in the red suit!  She just looked at him and pointed.  The second visit was this past weekend and she was excited, and we stood in line to sit on his lap and have our picture taken, but it was almost our turn and she saw a yellow school bus ride (you know the ones you put 50 cents in and they go) and wanted to ride that instead, so we left.  Last night, we decided that we would try again.  This time Melanie was sooooo excited to see him.  We waited in line for 30 minutes for Santa to return from feeding the reindeer (she was quite upset to discover that his big green chair was empty) and when he returned she ran out of line to the edge of the fence so she could wave at him and he waved back.  It was awesome!  She was soooo thrilled!  Jason and I are thinking that this photo op is going to be great!  Well, think again!  It was finally our turn, and Melanie ran right up to him and gave him a high 5 and started talking with him, telling him she wanted a doggie for Christmas (oh boy!  Not what we had in mind L) So, then I said with excitement, Melanie lets sit on Santa’s lap and take your picture – she leaped up in my arms and grabbed my neck with this sheer look of fear and concern on her face!  She was having no part of sitting on his lap!  So, this year, we couldn’t even force this issue!  She sat on my lap and we all got our picture taken with Santa!  There is always 2009!  But for now I will enjoy this moment and be relieved that Melanie will talk to strangers and be nice to them, but when they get too close, she knows to find Mommy & Daddy!