Still Scared of Santa

I was reading an article titled "Who the h#@l is that? Taking your tot to meet the big guy for the first time? You've got to read this!" in December's Parenting magazine. The writer had a list of "do's and don'ts" for taking your child for the annual photo op with the big man in the red suit. She wrote that you shouldn't push them, let them watch other children climb on Santa's lap and bring your baby's lovey.

Hmmm. Benny and I followed none of this advice when Olivia had her picture taken with Santa on my birthday a few weeks ago. We simply placed our screaming and kicking child on Santa's lap and instructed the photographer to shoot. This was the result.

Olivia and Santa 2011

It's in line with Olivia's typical reaction to Santa.

Olivia and Santa 2009

Olivia and Santa 2010

This year, after the photo, Olivia ran to Benny's arms. Benny asked Olivia to give Santa a high five (which she did) and then an elf handed her a present. She was delighted. Benny told Olivia to tell Santa thanks for her gift.
"Thank you. Thank you very much," she said before running off with her present.

Maybe next year, she won't be quite as scared of Santa.