Visit with Santa

With just one week until Santa is scheduled to visit our house, we decided that we better make a visit to him first so Jane could be sure he knew what she wanted for Christmas. On Saturday morning, we prepped Jane for the trip and asked her what she was going to ask Santa for. Her response: a red car. I said, "Oh, a car to push, that sounds like fun." Jane's response, "No, I drive." Oh boy - looks like we are in for it! So, after that shocking news, we bundled up and headed to the Phipps Conservatory (an indoor botanic garden where we spend a lot of our time) where Santa would be waiting for us. But not before we stopped by the train room to catch a glimpse of Jane's favorite display.
Shortly after arriving in the short line, Jane requested to sit on Daddy's shoulders so she could get a better look at Santa. Every few minutes she would point and exclaim with a smile on her face, "It's Santa!"

Jane waited very patiently for her turn, speaking of how she would say "hi" to Santa and sit on his lap just like the boys and girls before her. Next in line, Jane looked on suspiciously while holding Daddy's hand for support. And just then, Santa waved her up and said "Merry Christmas." Jane took two steps towards him, until Santa shook a loud bell, and Jane then leaped into her Daddy's arms while crying and screaming.

For proof of the visit, we decided to snag this shot of Jane safely behind Santa...but clearly not so sure.

Santa said a few pleasantries, including "I love you", to which Jane responded between sobs, "I wuv you too." After Santa said "Good Bye", Jane sobbed and said, "Thank you. Bye bye."

The whole way home, and even today, Jane has been talking about Santa and wants to go see him again. Not so sure that is a good idea, especially after we read, "The Night Before Christmas" for the millionth time in the past few weeks and Jane asked (for the first time), where is Santa's bell? Our tip to Santa - lose the bell and maybe you'll get a few more smiles.