visiting Santa

Visiting Santa each year is such a funny experience.  It really is a snap shot of kids' development and personality.  Timid, silly, thoughtful, camera shy...all in the span of a few minutes of snap shots.  Santa in Bend was really fantastic.  Compared to the over an hour wait last year in Portland, here we waited behind one family.  And when there is no line out the door, Santa talks to your kids for at least ten minutes.  Santa in Bend was also completely versed on the 'Elf on a Shelf' and didn't miss a beat, saying he'd seen our elf each night and making sure that the boys weren't touching him!  Impressive.  

Chatting up the big guy.

Nervous Fritzi.  Fritz' list (in a tiny whisper): a watch.

 Walter's list: a pogo stick, a walking stick, a hiking stick.  No idea where he get's this stuff.  You can almost see the thought bubble above his head..."what other kinds of sticks could I ask for..."

This is what the adults want when they say "big smiles", right?  

 Warming up.

All three:  "Ummmm.  Ok.  I think we're done here."

Just look at Santa.  Oh my goodness.