Santa can hear you!

In our mall, Santa sets up shop by the kids play area, just past the escalator to the food court. This past week, we went and got Lily's Christmas picture taken at the picture place there, Studio 101, and then while they were being uploaded, we went sat with Santa and then got dinner.

After dinner, we were on our way back to the photo place (which incidentally is practically dead across from Santa's shop) and we passed the little stroller rentals that look like race cars. All of a sudden, our darling Lily went into full on fit mode. "I tired of walking! I wanna ride in the STWOLLER! I WANNA DWIVE A CAR!!"

John was completely taken aback, as was I. I tried explaining that we were only going a few more feet, looking at the pictures, and then going home. The extra loud whining persisted, and got more shrill and she began to collapse on the floor. Suddenly, a thought flashed in my head. Due to the proximity of Santa (especially) I said, "Lily! Santa can hear you!!!"

Lily was in the middle of shrieking, "I wanna RIDEEEE!! I wanna....." and she suddenly stood straight up, walked right and said, "Oh! Santa can hear me?"

End of fit. It was all that Mom & Dad could do to not burst out laughing. Our eyes got big and we both were very obviously thinking, "Wow, Santa IS magic!"

Autumn 2009

IMG00061-20091031-14312
Originally uploaded by jopgaard.

Lily helped me rake leaves. She wouldn't let me bag the big pile which is probably a good thing considering she was in the middle of the pile.