After several minutes in line, Gabby started getting nervous. She quietly said, "I don't wanna tell Santa. I wanna go home." I offered to sit in the chair with her, and that helped. She wanted ME to be the one to "tell Santa" but I told her if she wanted the gifts, she had to tell Santa her list on her own. She decided she was ok with that, as long as I would let her sit in MY lap and not Santa's.
When it was finally our turn, all 3 of us went and squeezed ourselves onto Santa's bench. Gabby instantly got shy, but didn't wig out. She froze for a bit when Santa asked what she wanted, but after I reminded her what we had practiced, she very softly said, "Pink things; Hello Kitty things and princess things." And when Santa asked if she had been a good little girl this year, she nodded and shyly said yes. When it was time for the picture I could feel her relax, and even heard her saying "cheeeeeese" for the camera.
Not bad! Despite her nervousness, she was quite pleased with herself when it was all over. We celebrated with a chocolate chip cookie and a balloon animal (Hello Kitty) in the food court afterwards. I think she will be thoroughly excited on Christmas morning to discover that Santa indeed brought her "pink things, Hello Kitty things, and princess things."
4 comments:
Good to hear that Santa was a success this year! I think almost three is the right time for liking Santa.
Okay, I think you have a great idea. I think the key to this is going up to see Santa with Colin, instead of handing him off. Last year was a total disaster and knowing Colin as I do, he will totally flip out again this year if I hand him over to a stranger, Santa or not. ;-) For some reason, I never thought of getting in the picture with him! That is a great idea and I plan to try it! I think we will go this week...wish me luck! LOL!
Your picture is ADORABLE and I am very impressed with Miss Gabby! :-)
He's a great santa!! Which mall did you go to?
Yes, it totally made all the difference in the world to all go up there with Santa. She would have freaked out otherwise, and I wanted it to be a positive experience.
Melody, he IS a great Santa! This was Willow Bend, and it is the same Santa they have had for a few years. He is really good with kids...kind and soft-spoken. He knew Gabby was nervous so he didn't get in her face.
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